The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation supports HB2016 to create a paid family and medical leave program so that Virginia workers do not have to struggle with financial stability when receiving treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses. Without access to paid medical leave, patients are faced with impossible choices during a time when they are at their most stressed and vulnerable.
Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation Board member, Renu Brennan is Bar Counsel at the Virginia State Bar. As a state employee, Renu was fortunate to have paid medical leave and the support of her employer during the almost 9 months of her treatment for breast cancer in 2019. Her employer was flexible and compassionate. She knew she had sick days she could use as necessary during the more punishing chemotherapy when she felt too sick to work:
“I have no idea how someone going through breast cancer could function without the ability to take paid time off from work. Managing everything in your life during treatment is a precarious balancing act. The mental stress can be overwhelming. If I were faced with the additional stress of possibly losing my job or not getting paid, I’m not sure how I would have coped. All Virginians should be able to take the time off from their job when facing a disease like breast cancer or other serious illness and not have to worry about their financial situation.”
Renu Brennan
Contact members of the House Labor and Commerce Committee today!
During this short General Assembly session, things are moving quickly! The good news is that Delegate Hala Ayala’s bill (HB 2016) establishing a paid family and medical leave insurance program in Virginia was passed out of a House Labor and Commerce subcommittee earlier this week. The bill will now be heard in the full Committee TODAY Thursday, January 28th.
The House Labor & Commerce Committee does not meet until the afternoon, so if your Delegate is on this committee, please contact their office before 1pm today! Phone calls are preferable to email.
Take Action:
If your Delegate is on the House Labor & Commerce Committee, please call them TODAY, (1/28) and urge them to support HB2016.
*Find out who your House Delegate is: Who’s My Legislator?
*Check if they are on the Committee:Members of the House Labor & Commerce Committee & Contact Information
Your Message:
“I am a constituent of Delegate _______, and I’m calling today to ask him/her to support HB2016 to give Virginia’s workers access to paid family and medical leave. As someone impacted by breast cancer, I believe Virginians should not have to struggle with financial stability when receiving treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses.”
Feel free to edit this statement or add something personal if desired. It’s also ok if you have to leave a message on voicemail.
More information:
Fact Sheet on Paid Family and Medical Leave
VBCF joined the Campaign for a Family Friendly Virginia to help advocate for paid family and medical leave in Virginia so that workers do not have to struggle with financial stability when receiving treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses. Currently, 55% of Virginia workers are not eligible or cannot afford to take even unpaid leave.
