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By Lan Sena, Albuquerque.
I have spent nearly my entire adult life battling cancer. The first three months of my marriage were confined to the sterile walls of a hospital room, enduring a bone marrow transplant. Over my 13 years of fighting this relentless adversary, I’ve continually advocated for policy change. Yet, in all my years of advocacy, never have I been told that, given my uncertain prognosis, I should disregard legislation.That was until the last legislative session, when a legislator in opposition to paid family and medical leave made a similar remark. The callousness of that statement shook me, but I responded with empathy, emphasizing that this bill would benefit thousands of families in New Mexico, regardless of my personal fate.
My approach has always been one of compassion, and instead of meeting hostility with hostility, I extended an invitation to the representative to join me during one of my chemotherapy infusions. I wanted to discuss the bill’s importance, especially from the perspective of someone directly impacted by it.
The response I received was a simple “thoughts and prayers,” the words often used in politics to deflect action. It did not address my invitation or the challenges that cancer patients face due to the lack of access to paid family and medical leave. Undeterred, I persisted with my invitation, extending it once again after a recent medical procedure. Unfortunately, this time, my husband and I sat alone in the recovery room, with no response.
In the realm of policy, opposition is inevitable. Drawing from my experience as a former City Councilor, I understand the importance of listening to opposition and working toward reasonable solutions that ensure all voices are heard. This is why I appreciate the sponsors of HB6 and SB3. They have gone to great lengths, involving task forces, subcommittees, and statewide listening sessions, to address concerns and make reasonable concessions.
The genuine care and human response shown by the sponsors as I continue to battle cancer have left me reassured. Whether or not I personally benefit from their bill, I know that compassionate people with true New Mexico values are working tirelessly to provide families with the support they need during life’s most challenging moments. They understand that time is a precious commodity, especially for cancer patients.
I do this because I know the difference it can make. It’s the difference between a mother being at her 2-year-old’s side as they battle leukemia, whether a survivor of domestic violence can seek the services and justice they deserve, or whether bereaved parents can take time to grieve the tragic loss of their child. I know that my time spent fighting for families in New Mexico will be greater than any personal experience I could chase because I know our lives are worth it.
I hope it doesn’t take a life-threatening diagnosis, like cancer, to make our representatives in opposition to paid family and medical leave realize this profound lesson.
To our legislators: It’s time to act. Pass Paid Family & Medical Leave in 2024. Let compassion and humanity guide your decision. New Mexico families deserve this lifeline.
Lan Sena is the policy director for Center for Civic Policy and a Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patient.