2009 News Releases

Long queues at insurer’s offices to give blood

Hong Kong - When staff, insurance/financial advisors and customers of Manulife (International) Limited learned that the Hong Kong Red Cross had only enough supplies of Type O blood in its blood bank to meet demand for up to a week, they were even more motivated than usual to join the annual company-wide blood drive.

Some 640 of them queued up at Manulife Tower, Manulife Plaza and Manulife Provident Funds Place earlier this month to offer up their arms to the nurses.

Commented Michael Huddart, Manulife’s Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Hong Kong: “Manulife has a long history of supporting the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service — over the last three decades, a total of almost 10,000 of our staff and advisors has come forward to donate, as well as many of our customers.

“It is symptomatic of the volunteer spirit that characterises this company and is one of the things I’m proudest of about Manulife. Naturally, when people learned of the shortage of Type O blood, that was an even bigger incentive for them.”

Type O is known as the universal blood type since it is carried by some 40 per cent of the population — and more than half the blood stored in hospitals around the world belongs in this category. It can be given to any patient in an emergency.

A first-time donor, Rain Yee from Manulife’s Agency Support team said: “I have always been a little bit scared of needles, but when I heard about the Type O crisis I decided to overcome my groundless fears. The procedure was totally painless and I am so glad now that I did it — the knowledge that my contribution may have helped to save a life makes me feel really good.”

About Manulife (International) Limited
Manulife (International) Limited is a member of the Manulife Financial group of companies. Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$405 billion (approximately HK$2,492.7 billion) as at March 31, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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Media Contact:
Lily Chan/ Vicky Leung
Manulife (International) Limited
Tel: (852) 2202 1284 / 2510 3397
Fax: (852) 2234 6875
E-mail:lily_wk_chan@manulife.com /
vicky_py_leung@manulife.com