FECAPS--Fair Employment for Cancer Patients & Survivors
MISSION STATEMENT
FECAPS is a cancer support group specializing in workplace issues. On-the-job cancer discrimination is not new, but it is on the rise as employers seek to "healthy-up" their workforces by purging employees with certain medical histories. Cancer patients and survivors are being fired, harassed, and refused accommodation of their condition,
simply because they have or have had cancer.
Today, with our ecomony in a severe recession,
the effects of layoffs exacerbate this kind of discrimination...
"Companies are trying to save money and, therefore, laying off people, and the problem is in the decision — who’s going to be let go?” said Larry Pankey, a Dunwoody attorney who represents workers. “That’s infected with discrimination and bias.” Entire Article
While this is illegal under many state laws and federal law (the Americans with Disabilities Act), some employers either choose to ignore or are ignorant of their provisions. As a voluntary organization, we provide referrals to legal and medical resources for no fee.
We do advocate for individual employees on a case-by-case basis,
but we are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice.
We are an activist organization. Our mission is to keep our clients from being victimized yet again in the workplace after having been diagnosed with or having survived cancer.
That is the ultimate insult to the cancer injury. Like everyone else, cancer
patients and survivors require the dignity and financial security provided by a paying job.
Background
We have not organized as a non-profit, since non-profits cannot directly lobby their government or support political candidates on behalf of their cause and their stakeholders.
As an activist organization, that is what we do.
However, we do accept non tax-deductible donations to help
support our own time, effort, and expertise in order to help those who need us.
Without your donations, we must pay all of our own expenses.
We are based in Colorado, but will extend our help to anyone in any state.
Federal cancer discrimination law applies equally across the country,
and many state laws reflect the same spirit and intent.
Contact us if you're facing cancer discrimination. You may still be dealing with your treatment, or maybe you've already put the experience behind you as a survivor.
In either case, don't let yourself be victimized again at your job.
There are actions you can take to regain what you've lost at work.
Know your rights and fight back with the same energy you use to beat cancer!
We can help...
NEWS...
"I think whoever wants to be commander in chief ought to answer the cancer question."
-- LANCE ARMSTRONG
August 28, 2008
When President Obama Talked About
Health Care and Cancer Discrimination:
(Excerpt from his Acceptance Speech)
"Now is the time to finally keep the promise of affordable, accessible health care for every single American. If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums. If you don't, you'll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves. And as someone who watched my mother argue with insurance companies while she lay in bed dying of cancer, I will make certain those companies stop discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most." --BARAK OBAMA
[Entire Speech]
High School Won't Allow Cancer Patient to Graduate
(CNN Video)
HB 1355, Colorado's New Small Group Health Insurance Law- text and analysis