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CARMEL, Ind., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HOPE (Health Opportunity through Partnership in Education), together with Washington National Insurance Company, has donated $100,000 to help the American Cancer Society fund cutting-edge scientific cancer research. To date, HOPE has contributed a total of $500,000 to support the Society's lifesaving cancer research programs.

The $100,000 gift will help fund a post-doctoral fellowship genetic research project in lung cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Alison Taylor, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, will examine the make-up of cancerous cells and how chromosomal changes contribute to tumor growth.

"Through this research, I hope to be able to better understand the cause of genetic changes that are known to contribute to lung cancer growth, which will allow for the development of new therapies for treatment," said Dr. Taylor.

Since 1982, HOPE has worked to promote good health; encourage scientific research; and educate the public about prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and accidents.

HOPE members, including more than 180,000 Washington National certificateholders, generously contribute to the HOPE foundation to support and promote its mission through partnerships with established nonprofit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society.

"We are pleased to support the American Cancer Society and Dr. Taylor's work in genetic research in lung cancer," said Barbara Stewart, president of HOPE and Washington National. "The generous contributions of Washington National certificateholders and HOPE will support efforts to find new and innovative treatments for lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer."

Dr. Taylor's research will be conducted alongside American Cancer Society research professor Dr. Matthew L Meyerson, MD, PhD, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She earned her doctorate at Harvard University in Boston and her bachelor of science in biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. Dr. Taylor has published several research papers on genetic mutations.

About HOPE
HOPE is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1982. HOPE's mission is to promote good health, to encourage scientific research, and to disseminate information about the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and accidents. For more information, visit HopeMembers.com.

About Washington National Insurance Company
Washington National Insurance Company, a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group, Inc., has helped Americans since 1911 to protect themselves and their families from the financial hardship that often comes with critical illnesses, accidents and loss of life. The company's supplemental health and life insurance products are designed to help give policyholders and their loved ones peace of mind. To learn more, visit WashingtonNational.com.

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2.5 million volunteers saving lives threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 22 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We're the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air and more. For more information, to get help or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

SOURCE Washington National Insurance Company