This interview featured Kim Hamer, an HR leader and author who founded 100 Acts of Love to help people support their friends dealing with cancer. She discussed the importance of being specific when offering support and avoiding unhelpful statements. The concept of “receiver’s guilt” was also discussed, and the importance of giving from a place of pure intention was emphasized. Kim shared her experience of overcoming depression after her husband’s death and the importance of gratitude and community support. She also provided helpful tips for HR teams on supporting employees with cancer.
Action Items
HR teams should review their policies and procedures to ensure they are providing adequate support for employees with cancer.
Encourage employees to be specific when offering support to colleagues dealing with cancer.
Avoid making unhelpful statements that may cause “receiver’s guilt.”
Emphasize the importance of giving from a place of pure intention.
Encourage employees to practice gratitude and seek community support.
Consider inviting Kim Hamer to speak at future events or meetings.
On April 16, 2009, Kim Hamer watched her 44-year-old husband take his last breath. During his illness and after his death, she was amazed by the helpful ways their
coworkers, bosses, friends, and family supported them. Kim started calling their kind actions “acts of love.”
After the death of her husband, Kim, an HR leader, noticed how little guidance leaders received when navigating cancer, health crisis, or death on their team. She knew their lack of knowledge negatively affected morale, employee engagement, and productivity. She set out to change that. Combining her personal experience with her professional knowledge and leadership skills, Kim launched her business to support leaders and coworkers when cancer (or any health crisis) affects a team member.
Kim Hamer is the author of 100 Acts of Love: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Loving Your Friend through Cancer or Loss, an easy-to-read book filled with 100 practical, quick, and effective ways to support a friend or coworker. She’s also an HR leader and speaker who lives in Los Angeles, where she tries not to bother her relatively well-behaved college-aged children.
Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/100actsoflove/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthamer
Website: https://www.100actsoflove.com/
Book: https://www.100actsoflove.com/shop
