Thanking the Trend Micro family for its incredible support
Companies talk a lot about their culture – about how well they look after their employees. But until you’ve been forced to go through a truly life-changing experience, it’s difficult to know if they really mean what they say. Well, the past year-and-a-half has well and truly laid any doubts I may have had to rest.
Companies talk a lot about their culture – about how well they look after their employees. But until you’ve been forced to go through a truly life-changing experience, it’s difficult to know if they really mean what they say. Well, the past year-and-a-half has well and truly laid any doubts I may have had to rest.
The Trend Micro family came together to support me during one of the most difficult periods of my life and helped me claw my way out of it on the other side. I’d like to thank them all.
Knocked for six
For those that don’t know, I have been on a phased return to work since June 2022, after an extended period of 16 months sick leave that began in February 2021. The reason for this absence is a particularly nasty type of breast cancer called “triple negative” (TNBC), which is resistant to many treatment types, aggressive and fast growing. The outcomes are not great for those unfortunate to be diagnosed with it.
I couldn’t believe what the doctor was telling me when she explained that I would be looking at around a year to 16 months’ worth of treatment ahead. It completely floored me. As the main bread winner in a blended family with four kids, what were we going to do? How would I be able to support them, and myself, through this difficult time?
Coming together
That’s when I really came to learn first-hand what it means to be part of the Trend Micro family. The company itself didn’t hesitate to offer its support—everything I needed to focus on my treatment and getting better. From the progressive HR sickness and insurance policies to regular messages of support from leadership and colleagues, I was overwhelmed with love and compassion.
Not only was I bombarded with arranged care packages, cards, flower deliveries and home visits, but the team also showed their support by raising money for Breast Cancer Now during my treatment. Together, they walked, ran and cycled the equivalent distance from our offices in Paddington to Trend Micro HQ in Tokyo, and back, raising £2681.16 for the charity.
Back with a bang
On my phased return work, I was given the time to allow me to adapt gently rather than thrown back in at the deep end. And now the scans are clear, and I’m delighted to be back full time—ready and able to support our Partner Team and our Managed Partner Community in all things marketing alongside my colleague, Maria Louise Collier.
Thank you all again for your incredible support and I look forward to catching up at some point in the future.