At the end of 2022, Ayse Afsar was diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to the support of her colleagues and the sense of solidarity at ISS, Ayse has been fighting her way back to a normal life ever since.
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It was in late summer 2022 when Ayse, who has been working for ISS as a group leader and all-arounder since 2011, learned that her father had been diagnosed with cancer. Shortly thereafter, Ayse, who was born in Turkey, flew to her home country to be by his side during his chemotherapy. When she returned to Switzerland, the then 35-year-old wasn’t feeling well, but she didn’t pay much attention to it and attributed her symptoms to stress.
When the symptoms - such as a swollen tongue - didn’t improve after a few days, Ayse saw a doctor and, following a CT scan and biopsy, received the devastating diagnosis: cancer.
The months that followed were a roller-coaster ride of treatments and hope. Ayse bravely faced the challenges of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, even though her body was weak and her brain was affected by the treatment. To this day, Ayse struggles with difficulty concentrating, and her ability to speak is also impaired.
But amid the suffering, there was also a ray of hope: the unconditional love of her family and the support of her colleagues at ISS.
Giving up was never an option for Ayse, as she was determined to keep fighting for her two children (ages 16 and 18). Instead of asking, “Why me?”, Ayse sees her illness as a test of fate that she has now passed, as the cancer has gone into remission. Just as it did with her father.
When asked where Ayse finds the strength to be so positive and motivated, she replies:
“I’m very lucky to work at ISS. My coworkers - Marcel, Bojana, Vjollca, Ali, Roger, Emine, and Ilaria - often checked in on me, sent me messages, visited me, or sent flowers. This support was very important to me and motivated me to get well again as quickly as possible and return to the team.”
Despite her illness, Ayse did everything she could to continue her training as a building cleaner, which she had begun before her illness at the suggestion of her supervisor, Marcel Hollenstein. She passed her first exams with flying colors and is happy to be able to attend vocational school one day a week again and continue her training.
Ayse still has to take medication for her immune system and has a few more treatments ahead of her, but she is confident that she continues to be on the road to recovery and will soon be fully recovered.
Since mid-May 2024, she has been back at work at ISS on a 30% schedule and is gradually returning to her daily routine. She is enjoying her new life with a zest for life and gratitude, and would like to say to all her colleagues who are struggling with health issues or going through a difficult time: “Please stay positive, don’t give up, and remember: If I could do it, so can you.”