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United in the fight against cancer: Two employees, two unique stories

Cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis

Caring hands
Cancer care is more than medicine – it’s about understanding and addressing each person’s unique story. It is a balancing act of providing effective treatments without compromising on patients’ quality of life.
 
At Fresenius Kabi, we support patients and their loved ones with accessible oncology treatments, nutritional care, and programs to benefit mental wellbeing throughout the treatment journey. Our services also ensure patients transitioning from hospital to home treatment receive the support they need – because every story deserves empathy and excellent care.
 
Our employees’ stories show how every patient journey is unique. Having faced cancer themselves, they share experiences of hope, resilience, and the strength found in a supportive community. 

"My biggest strength came from my family, friends, and work colleagues as they were very supportive, gave me hope, and reminded me I wasn’t done fulfilling my purpose. I had so much more life to live."

More about Parminder's story
Parminder Punia

"My oncologist said at the time, “It's going to be a hard road, but at the end of it is recovery,” and that became my anchor. I was always sure I was stronger than the cancer."

Read more about Viola's story
Viola Sorger

Would you like to share a few words about your cancer story?

I was diagnosed in 2021 with stage 3 cancer, which means it had spread to lymph nodes. My cancer journey involved surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation over about nine to ten months. Now I am cancer-free but on hormone therapy to help reduce the risk of re-occurrence.

Were there any moments of hope or inspiration that stood out to you during your treatment?

There were lots of moments of hope and inspiration. For example, I was fortunate to have supportive colleagues who helped me understand my diagnosis, providing both comfort and guidance. On the one hand, these were medical experts, and on the other hand, a colleague from the USA with a similar diagnosis – introduced to me by another colleague – became a supportive friend throughout my journey. I had a whole community at Fresenius Kabi that I could ask questions.

In your experience, how can people support someone undergoing cancer treatment?

This is different for everyone. I believe the best approach is to ask what they want and need instead of making assumptions – whether it’s food, transportation to the hospital, regular check-ins, or discussions about the treatment status. For me, I appreciated my support system – family, friends, and coworkers – checking in regularly. It kept my mind positive. I wanted to talk about the future and what was happening in others’ lives, rather than about how I felt. I did not want to hear people feeling “sorry” for me; I needed others to lift my spirits.

In general, which role did your support system play in your healing process?

Since my treatment was during the pandemic, I had to self-isolate for the entire time. I am naturally a very positive, people-oriented person, so being around good people gives me energy and reinforces my sense of purpose to help others. Therefore, my biggest strength came from my family, friends, and work colleagues as they were very supportive, gave me hope, and reminded me I wasn’t done fulfilling my purpose. I had so much more life to live, and this gave me the strength to recover and get back to what I enjoy.

Parminder Punia
Parminder Punia, Vice President & CFO, Fresenius Kabi Canada

Would you like to share a few words about your cancer story?

Fortunately, my doctor sent me for further examinations right away, and the tumor was clearly defined and had not yet spread. The nature of my tumor, along with an additional genetic disposition, made the subsequent treatment very stressful and lengthy. I had great doctors, and all the treatments and operations were well coordinated, so that I always felt I was actively working against the cancer and fully focused on getting well. It took time to accept that I’m no longer exactly who I was before, but I am happy and very grateful to be healthy again.

How did you find strength throughout your treatments?

My oncologist said at the time, “It's going to be a hard road, but at the end of it is recovery,” and that became my anchor. I was always sure I was stronger than the cancer. I’m a very positive and open person; I spoke openly about my illness right from the start, and I got so much strength and warmth in return. In my life, I have always done sports, and exercise in the fresh air felt really good. Humor is also an important factor. Sometimes healthy people find that hard to understand, but if you can still laugh, it's balm for the soul.

Did your support system play an important role in your healing process? 

Absolutely! My daughter, who was twelve at the time, was my biggest incentive to get well again, and having my husband by my side gave me a lot of strength and security. My family and friends are my green oasis where I can let myself go and recharge. We had a great team at work; my boss made returning easy and encouraged me to drop by whenever I felt up to it. I still get tears in my eyes thinking about the welcome surprise my colleagues prepared for my first day back.

What does working at Fresenius Kabi mean to you now?

Many patients lose a lot of weight during their therapy, and it makes me proud to see how our products can help provide early support. Our promise, Committed to Life, also means that we continue to listen to patients; and make it easier for them to take enteral products on a daily basis, like offering a variety of flavors, textures, and recipe ideas. It's not just about developing a product; it’s about improving people’s quality of life when they need it most.

Viola Sorger
Viola Sorger, Senior Communication Manager, Business Unit Nutrition

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