October marks #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth ?????
?
Our 'Women at Uber' Employee Resource Group (ERG) wanted to take an opportunity to share the incredibly inspiring story of Angélica Huacuja in the hopes that it would bring awareness, and encourage other women and allies, to continue talking about this important topic.
"I joined Uber 7.5 years ago as part of the legal team in LATAM. Over time, my role within the legal team expanded, and I was promoted to my current role as Labor & Employment Legal Director for LATAM. In this role, I am in charge of advising on Uber’s platform work and traditional employee-related matters while managing a fantastic team.
During my time at Uber, I’ve balanced motherhood with a demanding career and I’m thankful for Uber’s support and flexibility, which have allowed me to flourish as a mother and a lawyer.
But nothing could have prepared me for the news I received last year.
Last year, I faced a significant challenge when I was diagnosed with stage 1 triple negative breast cancer (one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer) by happenstance during surgery to remove a benign lump. This kind of breast cancer is one of the most common in young women however, due to the lack of screening, it is not commonly diagnosed so early in women under 40. I was incredibly lucky. Nonetheless, because of the aggressive nature of the tumor, I underwent a double mastectomy and six rounds of preventive chemotherapy.
I chose to continue working flexibly during treatment because it made me feel like myself, took my mind off of the diagnosis, and energized me. Plus, seeing colleagues was always a welcomed distraction.
Needless to say, this has been the most shocking, frightening, and painful experience I have ever gone through. However, now that treatment is over, I can see the gifts brought by this diagnosis: an appreciation of the mundane and a true sense of what really matters in life. It also reinforced how thankful I am for the unwavering support I received from Uber. The understanding and encouragement of my colleagues and leadership made a world of difference during treatment, allowing me to focus on my health and my family while continuing with my professional responsibilities.
As I reflect on my journey at Uber, I feel the utmost gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had and the supportive environment that has allowed me to thrive professionally and personally during the most challenging times."
