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“There is a joy that comes from serving others,” Franklin said. “I enjoy sitting behind the wheel and doing my part to make their lives just a little easier.”
She knows firsthand how much it means when someone cares enough to offer a helping hand.
“There’re so many people who can’t care for themselves, and what I’ve been through doesn’t compare to their lifelong struggles,” Franklin said, recalling her own cancer diagnosis in April 2020.
Six months of chemotherapy, followed by 30 days of radiation, then surgery. Franklin happily reports her cancer is now in complete remission.
Franklin missed only three days of scheduled work and said colleagues and doctors were surprised by her drive and tenacity to battle cancer. The only person who wasn’t surprised? Joy Franklin.
“It’s amazing that I’m standing here,” she said. “I saw my own miracle. It was hard and I cried a lot. But I couldn’t let it stop me. There were days when I didn’t feel like coming in, but I knew my passengers needed me.”
Where does she get her strength? Her faith and her mother, who set the example of what it means to be strong, she said.
“First God, and then remembering the strength of mom, that’s where my inspiration comes from. After my parents divorced, she took care of six kids: five boys and me, the only girl. My mom taught me to be disciplined, caring, courteous and professional.”
Franklin’s dedication to serving VIA riders has been recognized with various commendations, including VIA’s Excellence Award, which honors operators for commitment to excellence in professionalism, safety, attendance, and customer service for a period of 6 months.
She acknowledges her experience elevated her perspective of caring for passengers and now enjoys being a VIAtrans operator more than ever.
“My cancer took it to the next level,” Franklin said. “I was very compassionate before, but it’s not the same. You not only see their challenges, but you also understand them better. And their struggles are lifelong. I can still go to work and I’m grateful for that.”