Springfield-based Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer have joined to increase donations for breast cancer research.

The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories works to identify genetic information leading to improved detection and treatment of breast cancer.

The alliance kicked off this month with MassMutual’s commitment to underwrite the expenses of the foundation’s key spokesperson, Heidi Floyd, as she travels across the country sharing her own personal battle with breast cancer while raising awareness of the Vera Bradley Foundation’s mission to raise funds in support of its research center.

The donations will be added to the $10 million that the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer has already committed to help eradicate breast cancer.

"We have met our first $10 million pledge and are working toward our goal of another $10 million endowment and research program support to the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Research team," said Floyd, who is the development ambassador for the foundation.

"MassMutual’s commitment to breast cancer awareness and families who have been affected runs very deeply throughout our organization," said Kelley Gay, assistant vice president of Market Development for the U.S. Insurance Group, MassMutual. "MassMutual is one of the leaders in providing insurance coverage for breast cancer survivors," she continued, frequently revising underwriting guidelines to reflect the positive strides in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

She added: "The end result is that MassMutual’s insurance coverage has shorter waiting periods and lower premiums for eligible breast cancer survivors."