A cancer diagnosis changes many things. Not just a person's health, but their sense of routine, their personal relationships, and their relationship with work. For the thousands of Canadians living and working with cancer today, the workplace can either be an environment for added stress, or a meaningful source of support.

Research tells us that support at work truly matters: 70% of cancer survivors say someone at work had a positive impact on their recovery, yet around 50% of employees with cancer are hesitant to disclose their diagnosis to their employers^1,2. This is a gap that speaks to how much more we can do, together, to create environments where people feel safe, seen, and supported.

At Pfizer Canada, this is something we take deeply to heart.
 

Building a Culture of Connection

Born from the lived experiences of two Pfizer colleagues, the Butterfly Community began in 2012 as a small peer-support network for those affected by cancer. Today, it has grown into a global community grounded in care, comfort, connection and hope — helping colleagues, caregivers and loved ones find support from people who truly understand their journey.
 

"We know firsthand that the workplace can be more than a place to work, it can be a source of strength during life's most difficult moments. Our mission has always been simple: connect colleagues and caregivers with people who understand their journey, provide support when it is needed most, and ensure that no one walks this journey alone,” shares Lynette, a Pfizer USA colleague and Co-Founder of the Butterfly Community.
 

The Butterfly Community took its current form in 2024 following efforts to expand and strengthen the support offered to colleagues facing life-changing diagnoses. Inspired by the vision and legacy of Angela, a patient-centric senior leader who was lost to colon cancer, and many other community champions, the Butterfly Community broadened its mission to foster care, comfort, and connection for colleagues and caregivers around the world. 

“Cancer can be an incredibly isolating experience, and when I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, I was trying to balance work, treatment, and raising three young children. During that time, some of the most meaningful support came from people who had walked a similar path and truly understood the fears, questions, and uncertainty that come with a diagnosis,” adds Lynette. 
 

Bringing this program to Canada, the Canadian Butterfly Community Chapter is encouraging colleagues to speak candidly about their caregiving or patient cancer experiences; through peer support and the personalized mentorship platform and Pfizer partner Imerman Angels, hundreds of colleagues have been connected with cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers. 

Pfizer Canada colleague Vivette, a four-time cancer survivor, is one of the core members guiding this work in Canada. Her involvement reflects her commitment to being present for colleagues during one of life's most difficult periods — and to encourage that same spirit of care across the organization.

Vivette’s experiences with breast and ovarian cancer have shaped her understanding of how support needs can change throughout diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and recovery. While her breast cancer journey was grounded in the encouragement of family, friends, and the hope of her upcoming wedding, her ovarian cancer treatments led her to seek connection with other patients and survivors who could offer shared understanding and perspective.

During her 2022 ovarian cancer recurrence, workplace support became especially meaningful. With the flexibility and understanding of her manager, along with colleagues who stepped in when she needed to prioritize her wellbeing, she was able to continue working while caring for her health. 
 

“During my different diagnoses, I found that I had to lean on different groups of people for support. Having a manager and colleagues who understand that even upon returning to work, you may need additional support and more flexibility, that makes all the difference,” Vivette shares. 

Going Beyond Benefits
 

Supporting a colleague through cancer means recognizing that a diagnosis touches every part of life — not just health care costs, but emotional wellbeing, family responsibilities, and the simple need to feel like you still belong. The programs and resources that Pfizer offers its employees, including the Canadian Butterfly Community Chapter, are designed with that full picture in mind, helping meet the unique needs of cancer patients and caregivers at every stage of their journey.
 

Formalizing Our Commitment
 

In June 2026, Pfizer Canada became a signatory of the Canadian Cancer & Work Charter, joining employers and associations from across the country in a shared commitment to better support Canadians affected by cancer in the workplace. The Charter outlines a practical framework for employers — covering everything from return-to-work planning to manager training to benefit design — to move from good intentions to meaningful, consistent action. This is not a one-time gesture. It is a long-term commitment to continuous improvement and consistency in ensuring that all Canadians can be adequately supported when a cancer diagnosis happens in the workplace. Pfizer Canada is proud to be an official signatory and to be leading by example. 

None of this would be possible without the colleagues who have chosen to share their stories, lend their support, and help build something more compassionate from the inside out. Their courage and generosity remind us of what becomes possible when we truly care for one another — and of the lasting difference that connection can make in someone's most vulnerable moment.

At Pfizer Canada, we remain committed to being that place: where people feel supported, where no one faces a cancer diagnosis alone, and where care is built into who we are.
 

¹ Cancer and Careers. The Harris Poll, International Survey Key Findings, 2025. Accessed June 2026 at 2025 International Survey on Work & Cancer Key Findings | Cancer and Careers

² Cancer@Work. 4e Édition Baromètre, Cancer et travail 2021. Accessed June 2026 at https://www.canceratwork.com/decouvrir-nos-actions