Over the past few weeks I've been engaged in a project to raise money for breast cancer. I had the privilege of participating in last fall's (motorcycle) Ride for Breast Cancer Screening and met many Survivors that day, their stories provided the inspiration for me to get off my butt and do something. What really struck me that day was how many Survivors I met, there was a time when the "Big C" really was a death sentence. We have made a lot of progress...there's still a long way to go though.
Having, just this past week, put the final touches on and received all the approvals needed for my own little fund raiser I was feeling pretty thankful that I had crossed paths that day with those Survivors...they changed my path, just a little, just enough to act.
There are people in this world, like Geri and Doug McDonald of Weston Property Management, who could use a day and an experience like that to alter their paths too. Today I came across this story in the Toronto Sun.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/02/19/8443986-sun.html
It's the story of Elsa Torrejon, a Canadian Citizen who immigrated here from Peru. She worked as a leasing agent for the McDonalds, from May until she heard the mind numbing words from her Doctor...mastectomy, cancer, chemotherapy. After that, her boss told her that they had accepted her resignation and asked for her keys. The only tricky part about that was that Elsa had not resigned.
"I'm not quitting, I'm not resigning. They don't seem to understand," Torrejon, the 50 year old single mother said angrily. "I have two kids at home. I have to go through surgery and chemotherapy, I don't have family here and now they want to fire me from my job?"
Geri and Doug McDonald of Weston Property Management, you should be ashamed. I hope you find the front of your place covered in pink ribbons as a reminder, I hope the impact of Michelle Mandel's Sun article is felt nationwide and affects your business as more Survivors and the people who love them stop sending their money your way. In a tight economy you really should go out of your way not to anger people.
Your ethics suck....not to mention you might want to take this opportunity to at least skim over the law on this issue.
Elsa, my thoughts are with you.
Maybe our paths will cross someday, there's alway a seat on my motorcycle for another Survivor.
A series of eclectic, possibly unconnected and probably meandering observations of an all weather cyclist, DJ, Magician and social observer. Some material may be inappropriate for younger or more sensitive adults. May contain psychological nudity. Follower discretion is advised.
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