Maggie's story
When Maggie's late husband was diagnosed with late-stage Pancreatic cancer, they relied on Aviva for his treatment.
“Aviva stood by us when it mattered most, and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Maggie first took out a health insurance policy in the early 2000s, encouraged by her mother-in-law to put something in place for herself and her young family. For years, the policy was a source of reassurance, something Maggie hoped they'd never need. But when we sat down with Maggie, she shared how it became far more important than she ever expected.
“A few years after joining Aviva, we were given the news that my husband had pancreatic cancer, which we later lost him to.”
During her husband’s treatment, a time that was turbulent enough for their family, their consultant gave them more concerning news.
“I still remember sitting with the consultant as he went through our options. The consultant explained that one offered the best chance for his situation. They also let us know that this option was more specialised and would need a case‑by‑case funding review.”
But when Maggie and her husband called Aviva to find out what their options were, they were pleasantly surprised.
Aviva looked at the information quickly, reviewed the case without delay, and confirmed that the treatment could go ahead. It was such a relief to have that clarity so fast.
“Our experience with Aviva was the opposite of what I feared. They agreed to fund the treatment and paid for his treatment until it ended. The claim was paid in full with no challenges, complications or questions about our choice of treatment.”
“It was an overwhelming and frightening time for me, my husband and our girls. What we needed most was kindness, simplicity and speed — and that’s exactly what we received. Everyone we spoke to was kind, polite and just made everything really easy at a time when things felt very overwhelming.”
Sadly, Maggie’s husband later passed away.
“When my husband passed, I wrote to Aviva Health MD at the time, Gil Baldwin, to thank him for how the whole team had supported us. I never expected a reply — and certainly not the handwritten letter he sent back. That small gesture meant so much to me and my daughters as we grieved. I still treasure that letter today.”
“Sixteen years on, I still have my Aviva Health policy — and I’m still very happy with it. I would never choose another company now. It was the most difficult time of our lives, so I keep the policy for the security it gives me, knowing that Aviva can support us if we ever needed it again.”
Stories like Maggie’s remind us why support, clarity and compassion matter when people are facing the hardest moments of their lives.
Maggie’s story reflects her individual experience as told to us in November 2025. Your own cover will be based on the terms, conditions and exclusions of your policy. Please note that pre-existing conditions are normally excluded.
Supporting you and your loved ones
We know how overwhelming it can feel when someone you love is facing cancer. If you need guidance or support, this resource may help:
Related articles
