World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on February 4 and aims to “reimagine a world where millions of cancer deaths are prevented and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all no matter who you are and where you live.” 

All of us at NEBGH know how hard you and your teams work each and every day to help your organization’s employees achieve the best possible health outcomes for themselves and their loved ones. Cancer is life changing, complex, and can be overwhelming for both the patient and their caregiver. An employee’s supervisor and benefits team are often among the first people to know that a diagnosis has happened. 

Whether over email, in a lunch and learn, a town hall, or the means of communication that you know is most effective, we encourage you to ensure that your employee community understands the cancer and disability policies and resources in place at their workplace for patients, survivors and caregivers, as well as available resources to which they can be connected.  

Reflecting on this global day of awareness, NEBGH CEO Kim Thiboldeaux said: “Whether it’s their personal experience or that of a colleague, employees want to see a compassionate and supportive response when they are faced with what might well be the darkest time in their lives. And, importantly, employees want to be proud to work for a company that has strong benefits, policies, and resources in place for the entire continuum of cancer, from facilitating cancer screenings, to accessing the best available treatment options, and providing disability accommodations for short-and long-term side effects of treatment.”