Southeastern staff support coworker on round two of breast cancer
Thursday, March 25, 2021 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University Controller’s Office staff is
rallying around one of their own who is fighting breast cancer for the second time.
Assistant Controller Tara Hudgins said the Controller’s Office decided to rally
around and support Accounting Specialist II Sondra Sagnibene as she began her treatment
almost 10 years to the day after she was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time.
“Marti Peeler, one of our administrative assistants, came up with the idea of
t-shirts as a tangible, visible show of support,” Hudgins said. “We had an overwhelming
response, and many in the office bought a shirt to support our friend and coworker.”
The office surprised Sagnibene prior to her second chemotherapy treatment by
wearing the shirts to work and presenting her one as well. Sagnibene will receive
treatment on Fridays going forward, so the office staff will wear the shirts each
week that day to stand in solidarity with her.
The back of the shirt reads, ‘No one fights alone,’ and Hudgins said it is their hope
that by wearing the shirts, Sagnibene knows that is truly the case.
“I’ve only been back at Southeastern a short time, but to me, working at Southeastern
means coworkers are more like family,” Hudgins said. “I have found that those in this
department truly care for one another, and that makes this university a great place
to work. We are happy to support Sondra in her fight.”
