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Manulife's inaugural global Impact Week brings longevity commitment to life through social connection and purpose-driven community action
Thousands of colleagues mobilized in support of local charities, exemplifying Manulife's strong winning team and culture
TORONTO, BOSTON and HONG KONG, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife hosted its inaugural Impact Week, a volunteer initiative designed to strengthen well-being, build social connection, and unite teams through purpose-driven community action.
From April 27 to May 1 in North America, and April 27 to May 8 across Asia, colleagues mobilized to support community partners focused on health and well-being, financial resilience, food security, education and additional causes linked to longevity. Manulife offers its 37,000 colleagues an annual paid Volunteer Day benefit, and Impact Week provided a globally-aligned opportunity for colleagues to use that benefit and volunteer together.
"We have a long history of community stewardship at Manulife, and Impact Week reflects our continued commitment to our communities around the world," said Phil Witherington, President and CEO, Manulife. "Strengthening our winning team and culture and empowering health, wealth, and longevity are two of our strategic priorities, and volunteering is a powerful way to advance both, by deepening connection, building belonging, and turning our values into action. I'm proud of Team Manulife this week for getting outside with one another and capturing the scale of our global footprint to make a real difference."
Results and Highlights from Impact Week 2026
During Impact Week:
- 21,724 volunteer hours were logged globally, with community impact continuing beyond the week
- 234 volunteer activities were completed across 22 communities
Volunteering: A Longevity Driver
Impact Week reflects Manulife's commitment to longevity, translating insights on connection and purpose into real‑world impact while reinforcing the role volunteering plays in well-being and quality of life. Research shows positive effects of volunteering include:
- Longer, healthier lives, including lower blood pressure, improved physical health and reduced mortalityi.
- Better mental health, with increased purpose and connection and reduced stress, anxiety and depressionii.
- Stronger cognitive health, including slower cognitive decline and improved social connectioniii.
"Longevity isn't only influenced by physical and financial well-being — it's shaped by how we live and connect," said Karen Leggett, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife. "Volunteering builds purpose, social connection, and resilience — factors linked to longer, healthier lives. Impact Week gives our colleagues the opportunity to serve our communities while also investing in their own longevity."
Manulife Colleagues Driving Global Impact Through Local Action
A hallmark of Impact Week was its flexibility, which helped strengthen connection across teams, bringing colleagues together around shared purpose and reinforcing a culture of inclusion. Alongside curated volunteer opportunities, teams designed their own initiatives through Team Grants, which enabled groups of 10 or more to support non-profit partners with funding and hands‑on effort.
"Impact Week created space for colleagues to have dedicated time to come together and make a difference in their communities," said Pragashini Fox, Chief People Officer, Manulife. "By offering a global Volunteer Day and empowering teams to lead local initiatives, we're strengthening connection, belonging, and a shared sense of purpose across Manulife. When colleagues come together in service, it builds the connections that underpin strong, inclusive teams."
Manulife's Legacy of Community Stewardship
Impact Week continues a long tradition of community involvement at Manulife. Since 1888, when the company donated its first ambulance to help improve community health, Manulife has continued to evolve how it contributes to stronger communities, recognizing that wellbeing includes not only physical health, but also the purpose and connection that come from showing up for others.
Impact Week aligns closely with the work of the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that will help people thrive at every age. Learn more about Manulife's Longevity research and insights at: Manulife.com/longevity.
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.
About Manulife Longevity Institute
The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute's work will support Manulife's Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife's Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US. Canada, Asia, and the US.
For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity.
Media contact
Manulife:
Emily English
emily_english@manulife.ca
647-544-2800
Manulife's inaugural global Impact Week brings longevity commitment to life through social connection and purpose-driven community action
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Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Thousands of colleagues mobilized in support of local charities, exemplifying Manulife's strong winning team and culture
TORONTO, BOSTON and HONG KONG, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife hosted its inaugural Impact Week, a volunteer initiative designed to strengthen well-being, build social connection, and unite teams through purpose-driven community action.
From April 27 to May 1 in North America, and April 27 to May 8 across Asia, colleagues mobilized to support community partners focused on health and well-being, financial resilience, food security, education and additional causes linked to longevity. Manulife offers its 37,000 colleagues an annual paid Volunteer Day benefit, and Impact Week provided a globally-aligned opportunity for colleagues to use that benefit and volunteer together.
"We have a long history of community stewardship at Manulife, and Impact Week reflects our continued commitment to our communities around the world," said Phil Witherington, President and CEO, Manulife. "Strengthening our winning team and culture and empowering health, wealth, and longevity are two of our strategic priorities, and volunteering is a powerful way to advance both, by deepening connection, building belonging, and turning our values into action. I'm proud of Team Manulife this week for getting outside with one another and capturing the scale of our global footprint to make a real difference."
Results and Highlights from Impact Week 2026
During Impact Week:
- 21,724 volunteer hours were logged globally, with community impact continuing beyond the week
- 234 volunteer activities were completed across 22 communities
Volunteering: A Longevity Driver
Impact Week reflects Manulife's commitment to longevity, translating insights on connection and purpose into real‑world impact while reinforcing the role volunteering plays in well-being and quality of life. Research shows positive effects of volunteering include:
- Longer, healthier lives, including lower blood pressure, improved physical health and reduced mortalityi.
- Better mental health, with increased purpose and connection and reduced stress, anxiety and depressionii.
- Stronger cognitive health, including slower cognitive decline and improved social connectioniii.
"Longevity isn't only influenced by physical and financial well-being — it's shaped by how we live and connect," said Karen Leggett, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife. "Volunteering builds purpose, social connection, and resilience — factors linked to longer, healthier lives. Impact Week gives our colleagues the opportunity to serve our communities while also investing in their own longevity."
Manulife Colleagues Driving Global Impact Through Local Action
A hallmark of Impact Week was its flexibility, which helped strengthen connection across teams, bringing colleagues together around shared purpose and reinforcing a culture of inclusion. Alongside curated volunteer opportunities, teams designed their own initiatives through Team Grants, which enabled groups of 10 or more to support non-profit partners with funding and hands‑on effort.
"Impact Week created space for colleagues to have dedicated time to come together and make a difference in their communities," said Pragashini Fox, Chief People Officer, Manulife. "By offering a global Volunteer Day and empowering teams to lead local initiatives, we're strengthening connection, belonging, and a shared sense of purpose across Manulife. When colleagues come together in service, it builds the connections that underpin strong, inclusive teams."
Manulife's Legacy of Community Stewardship
Impact Week continues a long tradition of community involvement at Manulife. Since 1888, when the company donated its first ambulance to help improve community health, Manulife has continued to evolve how it contributes to stronger communities, recognizing that wellbeing includes not only physical health, but also the purpose and connection that come from showing up for others.
Impact Week aligns closely with the work of the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that will help people thrive at every age. Learn more about Manulife's Longevity research and insights at: Manulife.com/longevity.
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.
About Manulife Longevity Institute
The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute's work will support Manulife's Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife's Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US. Canada, Asia, and the US.
For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity.
Media contact
Manulife:
Emily English
emily_english@manulife.ca
647-544-2800
________________________________
i Psychology and Aging: A prospective study of volunteerism and hypertension risk in older adults
ii Mayo Clinic Health System findings on reduced stress and improved mental health
iii Social Science & Medicine: Helping behaviors and cognitive function in later life
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
Manulife Turns Longevity into Action Through Volunteerism with First‑Ever Global Impact Week
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --
This Mother's Day, Momcozy isn't asking the usual question.
Not what should we get mum?
But something that tends to sit quietly underneath everything else: when was the last time she chose something for herself, and didn't feel the need to explain it?
Because most mothers don't move through the day with themselves at the centre of it. There's a rhythm that takes over early on, one where needs are anticipated before they're spoken, where time is measured in what's left to do, and where putting yourself aside stops feeling like a decision and starts feeling like the way things are.
"Choose You Too" doesn't try to interrupt that reality with grand ideas. It stays with it. With the in-between moments that rarely get noticed; the shortened pauses, the mental lists that keep running, the quiet habit of moving on before you've had a second to sit still.
There's no neat turning point here. Most mothers will tell you it doesn't happen that way. You don't suddenly arrive at balance. You adjust, you absorb, you keep going. And even now, when we speak more openly about support, the texture of daily life hasn't shifted as much as we might like to think.
What has started to change is something more understated.
It shows up in small recalibrations. Choosing what is sustainable over what is expected. Letting something be simpler. Allowing a bit of ease into routines that used to rely on endurance. Not because everything else disappears, but because it doesn't have to come at your own expense every single time.
As Ellen Zhou, Momcozy's APAC Marketing Director, puts it, "For a lot of mothers, the hardest part isn't doing more. It's realising they're allowed to need something too. Not after everything is done, not when there's finally time, but in the middle of it all - without guilt, without negotiation."
On their own, these shifts are almost invisible. But over time, they change the weight of a day. Not dramatically, but enough to be felt.
This is where Momcozy hopes "Choose You Too" finds its place. Not as a statement to be declared, but as something quieter, more lasting. A reminder that support doesn't have to wait until everything else is finished. It can be part of the way things are done.
So rather than centring on a single gesture this Mother's Day, the conversation moves towards something more enduring: choices that fit into everyday life, and make it a little more liveable, a little more sustainable.
Because sometimes, that's what choosing yourself looks like.
Listen to the raw truth from real moms at: https://youtu.be/X1E9cgNW8DE or find out more on Momcozy's official website: https://sea.momcozy.com, and discover various promotions on Momcozy's official e-commerce platforms: Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop and selected retail outlets.
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Air 1 Ultra-Slim Breast Pump
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KleanPal Bottle Washer, Sterilizer & Dryer
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Portable Bottle Warmer + Breast Milk Cooler Bundle
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Ergowrap™ Postpartum Belly Wrap
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BreezyClear™ 2-in-1 Spray & Suction Electric Nasal Aspirator
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Momcozy PureHug Baby Carrier
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** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Momcozy's "Choose You Too" Begins this 2026
