New cancer coach program backs employees through treatment, recovery and return to work
Cancer touches nearly every family in Canada and remains one of the most complex health challenges facing Canadians today, with 40 percent of diagnoses occurring during working years (people aged 20-64).
Manulife Canada announced a strategic partnership with Osara Health to launch Cancer Coach, a program that provides structured and personalized support to people who are navigating cancer treatment, recovery and the daily challenges that accompany a diagnosis.
The program complements clinical care with guidance to help members manage changes in sleep, energy, nutrition, stress, and other complexities that come when someone is diagnosed with cancer.
The Cancer Coach program will begin as a pilot and will be available to select Manulife Group Benefits members with disability coverage.
Eligible members will have access to clinically experienced professionals, including those with backgrounds in nursing, oncology nutrition, and exercise physiology, who provide one-on-one support with a dedicated Canada-based cancer coach.
Participants will receive weekly digital education with practical, evidence-informed guidance, access to Osara Health's app for symptom logging, progress tracking, and resources, and support with return-to-work planning tailored to their individual goals.
Doug Bryce, head of Health, Manulife Canada, said “a cancer diagnosis changes everything for individuals and their families – at home, at work, and in daily routines.”
He said the company wants to “broaden our focus” by providing support that helps members manage more aspects of the disease.
He described the Osara Health partnership as a way to offer practical, personalised support for symptoms, well-being, work and family life, and to extend programs to whole‑person care.
Tim Atkins, co-founder of Osara Health, said the partnership aims to support people “through the day-to-day complexities of living with cancer.”
He said Osara Health believes “the care experience shouldn’t centre on treatment alone” and uses its Cancer Coach program to offer personalised support, including practical guidance, behaviour change, emotional support and help with next steps.
