When Carol Jumper told her doctor boss she had been diagnosed with cancer, the last thing she expected was a brutal letter sacking her.

Seemingly hard-hearted Dr George Visnich's handwritten note told devastated Carol, 51, her battle with cancer will be - as if she didn't know - demanding physically, mentally and emotionally.

Offering little sympathy or support he went on: "The symptoms of the disease, the pain medications you will need, and the side effects of the chemotherapy will be significant and distracting."

Then he delivered the body blow Carol least expected after working for him for 12 years: "You will not be able to function in my office at the level required while battling for your life. Because of this, I am laying you off without pay as of August 11, 2014."

Shock: Carol jumper was informed of her sacking via a letter (
Image:
Rose Levini)

A crumb of sympathy followed as he signed off: ""Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you fight this horrible disease. Thanks for your time at Visnich Oral Surgery. I hope your battle is swift, smooth, and successful!"

Carol, from Hopewell Township in Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with cancer impacting her pancreas, liver and ovaries only last month. Her fiance Dennis Smerigan said the letter arrived days later.

“It was about a week later she gets this registered letter delivered at the house. I was pissed when I read that letter. No kind of man sends a letter like that.”

He went on: "He didn’t even call her. He hasn’t called her once since she got sick," Dennis said.

Distraught: Woman will have to have chemotherapy to combat the disease (
Image:
Getty)

The doctor's office did not answer press inquiries, but his lawyer Larry Kelly told a local newspaper the doctor laid her off so she could claim unemployment benefits. He described the dismissal as a "humanitarian thing."  

Kelly said: "He’s trying to help this woman and he’s made out to be a villain." He said the doctor wrote the letter on the understanding that when she is feeling better, she can come back to work.

Under American law, cancer patients are protected by a Disabilities Act as long as they can still perform a job's essential functions.      

Carol's friends posted he shocking letteron Facebook and it went viral. Her community has organised fundraising events and formed a "Bumpers Buddies" Facebook page to rally support.

A friend, John Barkovich, added: “She’s a good lady, and we’re just doing what we can to help her out."

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