Grant Hall

55-year-old Grant Hall from Inglewood, Taranaki is not just a survivor of bowel cancer, he’s a voice for change in the conversation around men’s health and having vital life insurance in place. As the owner of Tui Landscape Services, a business he runs with his wife Jo, Grant’s recent scare has transformed the way he looks at life. He’s advocating for the importance of “Kiwi blokes” to talk about their health with their mates, seek medical help if there’s anything wrong and understand how the right insurance can take some of the stress out of the hardest times.

“Bowel cancer was a shock,” Grant recalls. “I was losing weight, feeling tired, and had changes in my bowel motions. I kept putting it to the back of my mind and presumed it was due to being busy at work. Like many Kiwi males, I hadn’t been to a doctor in years. It was a battle just to get me to make an appointment.”

Grant’s reluctance to seek help is a common trait for many New Zealand men. “Men of our age didn’t go to doctors unless something was about to fall off,” he explains. “It’s a mindset we grew up with, thinking, “she’ll be right, mate”. But that can be dangerous.”

His wife Jo, who manages the day-to-day operations in their busy landscaping business, noticed some of the changes in Grant before he did. “I knew something wasn’t right,” she says. “When he finally told me, I pushed him to see a doctor. It was challenging, but I knew we had to act quickly.”

Once diagnosed, Grant’s medical and trauma (critical illness) insurance played a crucial role in his recovery. “Without it, I might have been waiting months for treatment,” he says. “The first thing the surgeon asked was if I had medical insurance. If not, I could have been waiting three or four months, and the cancer could have spread. The trauma insurance payment significantly helped Grant’s recovery period and enabled business continuity.”

Trent Theodore, Grant’s Independent Financial Adviser from AdAstra Financial Services, was instrumental in guiding him through making his trauma insurance claim. “The claims process was super smooth,” Trent recalls. “It allowed Grant to focus on his recovery without worrying about finances. It gave them choices about what to do next.”

For Grant, the trauma insurance payout was a lifeline. “Within three days of sending the documentation through to Chubb Life and the claim being accepted, we had the funds in our account. It was a huge relief,” he says. “It meant we could keep the business running by hiring contractors. Jo could also take time out, allowing us to focus on my recovery without financial stress.”

Grant’s experience has ignited a passion for advocating for men’s health awareness and ensure they have the right protection in place if they get a serious illness. “I’ve started talking to my friends about my journey,” he shares. “I encourage them to see a doctor if something feels off. It’s a minor ask for them to get an exam, but it could be life-changing.”

Jo adds, “Many men put health issues in the too-hard basket. They think it won’t happen to them. But Grant was very healthy prior to his diagnosis. His experience shows that it can happen to anyone.”

Trent emphasises the importance of regular check-ups for men. “Kiwi blokes are still really good at avoiding the doctor,” he says. “Regular visits to the doctor are crucial for ensuring we’re around for our families. It’s about making sure we’re fit and well, but if something does happen, that we have the right insurance cover in place to help us through.”

Grant’s journey has not only changed his outlook on his health but also on the way he wants to live his life. “Going through a cancer scare has put everything into perspective,” he reflects. “I appreciate the small things more now. I plan to live life to the fullest for the next 20 years.”

Grant and Jo are now looking to tick off some of their “bucket list” and travel the world together. “Life is too short,” Jo says. “We’ve realised we need to make the most of it.”

Now fully recovered, Grant remains committed to spreading the message about the importance of men’s health and the value of trauma insurance. “If I can encourage just one person to seek help and get the protection they need, then I’ve done my job,” he says. “Don’t ignore the signs. Get checked out. It could save your life.”

In New Zealand, where it’s far too common for men to shy away from discussing health issues, Grant’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s time to prioritise our well-being with regular medical check-ups, and get the right insurance in place to help manage financial stress and allow for a decent recovery period if the unexpected were to happen.

Chubb Life offers a variety of life and living insurance options that could provide financial protection for individuals and their families. These options include, but are not limited to Chubb Life’s trauma (critical illness), life insurance and income protection categories of insurance which offer a range of cover types based on individual needs.