2004 News Releases

Hong Kong– Manulife Charitable Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in December 1998 by Manulife (International) Limited (MIL), today presented a HK$720,000 cheque to the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to support the development of cancer patient counselling service at its Cancer Patient Resource Centre, set up at the Prince of Wales Hospital last year. This donation will give support to the Centre in 2004 and 2005.

Edward Lau, Executive Vice President, Asia Regional Operations, Manulife Financial and Chairman of Manulife Charitable Foundation, together with Michael Huddart, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Hong Kong, MIL, presented the cheque to Professor T F Fok, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, and Professor Anthony Chan, Chairman of Department of Clinical Oncology of CUHK, at the ceremony.

“As a caring and responsible corporate citizen, Manulife is strongly committed to contributing to the betterment of the local community," said Mr. Huddart. "Our involvement with the Cancer Patient Resource Centre goes far beyond the sponsorship value. We hope to help raise the public awareness of depression among cancer patients, so that their emotional problems can be detected and addressed early to minimise adverse effects."

According to a recent study conducted by the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, many cancer patients were often associated with high frequency of depressive symptoms and poor functional status.

"As a company offering protection, Manulife not only provides assurance to its customers but also pledges to attend to the special needs of the community. We are proud to be able to support this meaningful program that will help cancer patients cope with the mental anguish caused by their illness. We would like to help them rebuild their mental and psychological health as well as confidence,” said Mr. Lau.

“We welcome external support and are thrilled to receive such a generous donation from Manulife as it would enable us to provide professional counselling services and treatments that are crucial to cancer patients in sustaining a positive, satisfying, and healthy mind on their road to recovery," said Professor Fok.

The Cancer Patient Resource Centre at the Prince of Wales Hospital was set up in January 2003 with a mandate to provide psychological counseling and support programs for cancer patients of the New Territories East district. The Centre is supported and administrated by the Department of Clinical Oncology of CUHK.

About Manulife Charitable Foundation
The Manulife Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organisation set up by Manulife (International) Limited in 1998 to support and promote educational, health and charitable activities for the betterment of public welfare in Hong Kong. It has sponsored the Manulife Centre for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities since 1999 with a mandate to assist children with specific learning difficulties, and their parents and teachers, by studying how to identify children in need of assistance and help them develop to their full potential.

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. Pro forma funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$356 billion (approximately HK$2,116 billion) as at March 31, 2004.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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For more information, please contact:
Helena Lee / Jeanie Ho
Manulife (International) Limited
Tel: 2202 1050 / 2510 3191
Fax: 2234 6875
Email: helena_lee@manulife.com
jeanie_ho@manulife.com