For Emily, being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer wasn’t a reason to stop working as the funeral director at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in order to undergo treatment. Instead, it was a source of inspiration to continue working to help others. It was her work and the unwavering support from her employer that not only helped her through her recovery, but actually contributed to what she calls one of the most rewarding times of her life.
Helping grieving families helped Emily keep things in perspective and keep her mind focused and positive so that she could be there for the families she serves. But she couldn’t have done it without the caring and compassionate team at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens who was willing to accommodate her treatment schedule and give her the flexibility to work longer hours on some days so that she could take time off for treatment on other days.
“I can’t say enough nice things about the company I work for and how they helped me in my recovery,” said Emily. “They worked with me on my schedule so that I could get to treatments and doctor’s appointments, but still maintain a consistent work commitment.”
It was during her treatment that she became aware of West Fight On, the annual fundraiser for West Cancer Foundation, and participated in 2022. That same year, she requested that Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens sponsor the event, which they did. Emily is filled with gratitude that not only was her employer enthusiastic about supporting her personal cancer journey, but that they were willing to step up at a corporate level and sponsor this important community cancer event. Even better, they agreed to sponsor it this year for the second year in a row.
“It means so much to me that my employer is supporting the cancer community with their sponsorship of West Fight On,” she said. “They get lots of requests and could have easily switched to sponsor something else, but they wanted to continue supporting this event and the important work West Cancer Foundation is doing.”
West Fight On raises funds so that West Cancer Foundation can provide its life-saving services to cancer patients in need: free breast screenings; free transportation to and from cancer treatment and appointments; free post-mastectomy garments and wigs; and free lymphedema compression garments.
This year’s West Fight On is scheduled for September 9 at Shelby Farms Park.
Read more about Emily’s cancer journey here https://www.dignitymemorial.com/detail-stories/working-with-cancer
