Council Member Vanessa Fuentes announced Tuesday she is battling breast cancer.
Fuentes, who has been on parental leave since May 4, said in a statement that she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at 37 weeks pregnant. Fuentes said she felt a lump in her breast and immediately consulted with her doctor.
“By acting quickly, we caught the cancer before it spread,” she said. “It’s so important to trust your body. If something feels off, get it checked. Early detection saves lives.”
Fuentes said her daughter Vivienne was delivered safely on May 5 and is “healthy and growing fast!”
She encouraged women to “be proactive with their health” and consider getting a mammogram before the recommended age of 40.
Within 36 hours of delivering her daughter, Fuentes said she began cancer treatment. She said she will continue to receive medical care while resuming her duties on the Austin City Council.
“I now join the fight against cancer, standing shoulder to shoulder with the millions of people who show up to work, raise their families, and serve their communities while fighting this disease every single day,” Fuentes said. “This diagnosis hasn’t changed who I am or what I’m committed to. If anything, it’s reinforced why the work we do together matters.”
Fuentes returns amidst the city’s budget planning cycle and ahead of major decisions about a bond election, the Dog’s Head development and city council elections.