Young Adults & MBC
Young Adults & MBC is an episode that explores the lives of those diagnosed under the age of 40 with Stage IV breast cancer. First up, our Senior Producer, Natalia Green, interviews Angelica Valadez, initially diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2020 then diagnosed with MBC in 2022. Next, she interviews Sooz Stever, a YSC State Leader for Utah diagnosed with early stage TNBC in 2016 and MBC ally, dedicated to improving the lives of those living with metastatic breast cancer.
We’ll discuss how we as young women focus on finding a community, overcoming obstacles and learning to navigate life as a young person with metastatic breast cancer everyday.
Meet the Guests of the Episode
Angelica Valadez
Angie was born in Puebla, Mexico, raised in Houston, went to college in DFW, and finally settled in Austin, TX. She lives with her husband, Luke and dog, Crew. They hope to one day grow their family through fostering. Angie is a proud auntie to her niece, Lulu and nephew, Jojo. They mean the world to her. Angie is the middle child and enjoys being social and helping in her community. She loves trivia, dance parties and film. Her favorite pastime is trying new restaurants with her hubby as they bond over their shared appetites for fine dining. In her career, she has worked in the non-profit sector helping at-risk youth and families in the Austin area. On March 24th 2020, Angie was first diagnosed with stage 2B HER2+ breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy, lumpectomy, radiation, hormone therapy, axillary lymph node dissection and oophorectomy. Angie was NED for 11 months then in April 2022, after having pneumonia for 8 weeks, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 BC with Mets in the liver. She underwent multiple plural drains and a pericardial window. She’s also undergone 3 lines of chemotherapy and most recently full brain radiation due to having 30 tumors in her brain. Angie is still fairly new to not only the breast cancer world in general, but also to the metastatic breast cancer community. This year, she was able to attend Camp Breastie and it changed her life. She hopes to use the support of this new found sisterhood to learn how to advocate for Latine people with MBC .
You can find her on IG @southaustinhoney
Susan “Sooz” Stever
Sooz has been a State Leader and Face 2 Face Leader with Young Survival Coalition for the state of Utah since 2017. She has completed the Young Advocate training with the Living Beyond Breast Cancer organization as well as been an ambassador for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. Sooz attended the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium last year and has enjoyed working as an advocate within the breast cancer community.
You find Sooz on IG @sooz_stever & FB at Sooz Stever
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