Triumph Over Cancer – Stories of Resilience and Support - Part 1
BY
Chalese Leven, Anywhere Integrated Services
.
September 28, 2023
How Anywhere Integrated Services Empowers its Employees who are Battling Serious Health Challenges
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All month long, we will be featuring brave cancer warriors from the Anywhere Integrated Services family of companies who have battled and beat various forms of breast cancer. We will highlight the highs and lows of their journeys, how they were supported by their teams and leaders, and how Anywhere Integrated Services puts its people first especially when they are courageously battling cancer. All of the following stories were shared with the permission of the employees.
Lessons Leaders Can Learn from Their Survivors
Maureen Robbins, Vice President of Benefits for Anywhere Real Estate Inc. said, “Our priority is to provide support to employees and their families wherever they are in their healthcare journey. Anywhere has partnered with specialty vendors who have the experience to help employees understand their treatment options and to be confident with their treatment plan.”
Here are three tips for supporting someone on your team facing serious health challenges:
An employee battling an illness may have doctor’s appointments, treatments and other obligations that occur during work hours.[1] Amanda Lingle, a Title Services Representative at Guardian Transfer was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in 2019. She commends her team for helping her to manage a difficult treatment schedule. “My bosses continued to support me during my two months of daily radiation treatments each morning, taking on any morning closings or notary appointments that I would not be able to make it in for,” she said.
Be there for them outside the office. Heather Spalding, a Regional Manager at Guardian Title Agency, was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in 2022. She experienced her team’s support on a walk during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She said,” You never know what somebody might be going through and this battle has taught me the importance of not only being empathetic and supportive for colleagues, but to celebrate their wins with them.”
Direct them towards resources that could alleviate the challenge. Lori Cote, a Service Manager at Sunbelt Title, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Speaking about her battle, she said, “My HR representative was incredibly helpful with interfacing with the disability piece of it,” continuing “The paperwork was difficult, but he was there every step of the way with me.”
Anywhere Integrated Services is proud to support people like Amanda, Lori and Heather, who have demonstrated courage and resilience and continue to bring their perspectives to their role. They continue to be a source of inspiration for the entire family of companies.
“It is important for employees to know they are not alone, and we are there to help them navigate with any healthcare challenge,” said Robbins.
Look out for more on each of their journeys throughout this month. We also understand that not every battle is won, so we send our heartfelt condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer.