Martin Duffy's Blog

Officeworks supports Tour de Cure

I received an incredibly heartfelt email from an Officeworks team member this week after the business communicated its ongoing partnership with Tour de Cure.

It is a touching story which really highlights how valuable it is for people to get behind such a worthwhile cause like Tour de Cure.

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To: Martin Duffy

Subject: Tour de Cure

Good Morning Martin,

I want to thank you for your involvement in the Tour de Cure.

I am a Coordinator and my husband is in palliative care, dying from a rare cancer.  I have great support from my Store Manager, peers & team, but the fact that you are doing something so positive gives me pride in our business and just that bit more strength to keep moving forward.

My husband has asked me to specifically thank you as he feels that the company is a great place for me to be & that I’ll be “looked after” when he’s gone.

I hope you have a great ride!

Cheers,

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Officeworks’ involvement will help raise both awareness and money in the fight against cancer, while also supporting team members like the one above and the communities they live in.

Officeworks has been a great supporter of my personal journey with Tour de Cure, but I am even more thrilled with their commitment to establishing a relationship with TDC.

I have also been overwhelmed by the financial donations towards my Tour de Cure tally from Officeworks stores, support centres and individual team members across the business.

It is great to know that we are really making a difference in people’s lives, as shown by the email above.

Update – 11th April 2013

Hi All,

I would like to share with you a touching and inspiring letter a colleague at Officeworks has written.

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Thank you to the business and Martin for participating in the Tour de Cure.

On 13 January this year I had a trip planned to India with one of my closest girlfriends Jane. We were going to work with disadvantaged women in some remote areas and we had planned it for a year. A week prior to leaving Jane called me in tears to let me know that she had just been diagnosed with advanced Lymphatic cancer and we had to cancel the trip. Jane is 44-years-old and has since found out that it is the incurable form of Lymphoma. She is currently undergoing treatment, with family and friends close by for support during this incredibly tough time.

Cancer touches the lives of everyone in some form and for myself, having lost my partner almost 5 years ago to liver cancer, it is particularly special to be able to participate with my colleagues in raising funds. My late partner was 43 when he died on ANZAC Day 2008. He weighed almost nothing, was yellow and wanted only to know that he would die holding my hand, which is what happened.   

I hope that everyone enjoys the opportunity to participate in a positive way to making the lives of those suffering with cancer or affected by the disease in someone else more comfortable through the funds raised from this initiative.

Get on your bike Martin!

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Stories like this, along with the one I shared on my last blog above, really show that cancer does not discriminate and affects so many people.

My thoughts are with those I know affected by this dreaded disease.

Their courage will provide me with plenty of motivation to complete the upcoming ride and continue my efforts to raise funds and awareness to battle cancer.

Regards,

Martin

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