I'm not Metis, but I'll chime in...
One of the great things about working for Tantus is that there's a real commitment to getting involved in the community. At our first All-associates meeting in Nevada, we talked about possible ways for the staff to volunteer in the Reno/Sparks area. Two of us had relationships with American Cancer Society. Rita, from our sales staff, had several family members on her Dad's side of the family who passed away from various cancers. Based on that she's been active with Relay for Life for several years. My family also tends to be cancer-prone, and my child is a survivor. I've been on the receiving end of help from ACS. I know how vital that support can be...
As we started talking at this staff meeting, it was astonishing to see how many of us had had some kind of experience with cancer. We are a small company, with less than 20 people - and there was a clear majority percentage of folks who were either survivors or had someone close to them with a diagnosis. So Relay for Life seemed like a good fit. Most of us had a personal connection, and it was the kind of event that welcomes our families too. We collectively talked about possibilities for products to create and it sort of took off from there.
And can I just say that the best part for me has been that people have come forward and shared their own experiences? I've spoken with Tantus fans who tell me about their grandparent or best friend who had cancer, what it was like to witness someone they loved go through that. So powerful. Cancer is such an isolating experience. It was for me, anyway. I'm touched that the response has been so positive and that people are relating their own stories into this effort.
On that note - I hope I've answered your question. I tend to get lengthy! Metis could probably have been much more concise. She deserves the credit for this, too. Not many employers put their intentions into reality the way she does.
