La Havana bartender supported by family, friends, and employer in breast cancer battle

EL PASO, Texas- Jennifer Zielsdorf's battle with cancer was quick.  Diagnosed in February of 2022, she told ABC-7 that by April, her doctors were administering chemotherapy.

Zielsdorf said that during the process, her family, friends and employer have stood by her side.

“They would text me, they would call me, they would show up with little trinkets, key chains, water bottles with a pink ribbon.  The support was amazing,” she shared.

Rick Ortega, the owner of La Havana, made sure work was the last thing Zielsdorf would need to worry about during this fight.

“We told her we would be flexible with any and all types of appointments, time off, sickness, and even offer some comfort pay in the event that it was an extended period of time,” the Ortega said.

Zielsdorf had some advice for those who will be following in her footsteps, “Cancer doesn’t define me, this bald head doesn’t define me, my no eyebrows doesn’t define me, no eyelashes doesn't define me. Like I'm an amazing person. I'm a go getter, I've worked throughout the whole thing. My kids haven't skipped a beat. I haven't skipped a beat. My biggest thing going through this is to remember what your life is for.”