A callous letter written by a doctor to his loyal employee named Carol Jumper who was just diagnosed with cancer triggered an outrage in social media.
Dr. George Visnich, an oral surgeon, sent a letter to his employee, Carol Jumper who was diagnosed with cancer last month saying that she was too sick to work and was being fired. The alleged "callous" letter sparked outrage online.
A Pennsylvania community was rallying around a woman named Carol Jumper, who was fired from her job at an oral surgeon's office succeeding her cancer diagnosis. Carol Jumper, who lives in Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with cancer impacting her pancreas, liver and ovaries in August. As per her fiancé, Dennis Smerigan, Carol received a letter from her boss, Dr. George Visnich, a Beaver County oral surgeon, saying he was firing her without compensation. The letter went vial and triggered social media indignation.
Carol Jumper, 51-year old had worked for the doctor for 12 years until last month when she started having stomach pains and learned she had cancer affecting her other organs. Dr. Visnich sent Carol a letter that was posted online by her friend, Rose Lerini. The letter stated: "You are currently engaged in a battle against cancer that will be demanding physically, mentally, and emotionally. ... You will not be able to function in my office at the level required while battling for your life. Because of this, I am laying you off without pay as of August 11, 2014... Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you fight this horrible disease."
Several blog entries, social media posts and comments have criticized Dr. Visnich for writing and sending such a "callous" letter. However lawyer Larry Kelly, who represents the Visnich family said that the doctor did a benevolent thing. He also added that his client placed Carol Jumper on layoff status so she could amass unemployment compensation during her treatment, with the understanding that she could return to work when she is feeling better.
The letter had caused social media attention and several negative criticisms that had been very upsetting to the doctor. Carol Jumper's friend John Barcovich said that her friends and family were shocked by the widespread rampage it caused online. Carol's friends announced Wednesday that she wanted the wildfire the letter triggered to diffuse and subside and the doctor's lawyer said the matter was misconstrued from the beginning.
John Barkovich also said that Carol Jumper was not feeling well after a treatment on Tuesday. Her friend said that Carol doesn't care about the doctor that she's in a fight for her life, and she doesn't want the letter to be blown out of context. Meanwhile, Carol's friends are seeking the public to support Carol Jumper at several forthcoming events to raise money to aid her cover her medical expenses. The group also organized and formed "Bumper Buddies", a Facebook page to gather support.
Current and recovering cancer patients are protected against job discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act as long as the individual is able to perform the job's essential functions.
The outrage that the letter had triggered was simply an indication that social media is a powerful tool to express one's opinion but should be used responsibly. Carol Jumper was fired but the intent was misunderstood. Prayers and support goes out to Carol as you fight cancer.
