So, in case you didn’t notice, yesterday this site ran a post headlined, A GALLERY OF HOPE: THE TRUTH OC’S 26 BEST POLITICAL FIGURES OF 2026. And heading the list was Amy Stevens, a woman who is everywhere, at all times, on all days, fighting for democracy as a volunteer organizer for OC Indivisible Coalition and member rep for OC Working Families Party. As I noted in my brief, Amy is inspiring and rugged and uniquely determined. She is, truly, a heroic figure on the local political scene.
Seriously, there are few people on earth for whom I have greater respect.
Well, today—on Instagram—Amy posted this …
She elaborated on her website, and I’m going to post what she ran about her cancer battle right here …
This isn’t our typical newsletter. It’s a little more personal than usual, so grab a snack then please read to the end. In this email:
My breast cancer diagnosis, and how you can help
(see WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME at the end - please don’t skip it!)DeFlock OC updates: stickers & shirts
Help us monitor local government
A sweet surprise from The Truth OC
WHERE I’VE BEEN
About a month ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had no idea - it showed up on a routine mammogram (to all those who could be affected - get your scans regularly!)
I didn’t tell a lot of people, just those who would be impacted by the disruption to my schedule from all the exams and tests and consultations with medical experts. We found it early and the tumor is relatively small. It appears to be very treatable, and I’m likely to live for a few more decades.
I know there are so many other people facing so many worse things:
kidnappings and deportations and family separations of our immigrant neighbors
children killed by American bombs dropped by our “ally” nations
more than 1,000 people who died in Nepal from flash floods after a glacier collapse linked to climate change
hospitals, one after another, cutting off care for trans kids under pressure from Trump’s Justice Department
our Supreme Court clearing the way for the Trump regime to check voter rolls against a citizenship database weeks before the midterms, after so many have already been disenfranchised this year due to rollbacks of our voting rights
So I didn’t want to center myself or “make a big deal.”
But I’ve had to pull back a bit on in-person events in recent weeks even as I’ve continued to work hard in the background. Folks have noticed - so many of you have reached out to ask where I am! (thank you to everyone who’s stepped up to help out at our weekly rallies)
And as my surgery approaches (tomorrow morning!) I’m realizing this is a real and scary and big thing that is happening to me (and to my family), and my feelings of fear and anger and irritation and sadness are valid. As my oncologist told me, “we’re not in a competition for who has the worst circumstances.”
So I decided to share the news with you all, not for your sympathy, but to hopefully inspire you to dig in deeper to the work that needs to be done. (See my list at the end!)
WHY HEALTHCARE IS PERSONAL
Our family is on Medi-Cal, and fortunately it’s covering my scans, tests, appointments, medication, surgery, and whatever comes next - for now. I’m so grateful. I’m also scared. Starting January 1, 2027, many adults on Medi-Cal/Medicaid will have to prove 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or approved community service to keep their coverage, thanks to the Big Bad Budget Bill. I’ve been looking for work with benefits for months, and now I need it more than ever.
•••
And here’s what’s amazing and breathtaking and spiritual about Amy: She used the news of her health struggle to … inspire us to fight. I mean, that’s friggin’ unreal. At a low moment in her life, the priority is defending democracy and turning out for elections and battling back against the authoritarian creep.
Bravo.
Amy wants people to donate to the OC Indivisible Coalition Orange County CA—and that’s what I’m urging everyone to do. This is the link. I just gave two seconds ago, and I encourage everyone to do the same.
For Amy, sure.
But also for America.
Thank you for uplifting Amy Stevens' email. I hope everyone donates to the link.
Donated, and will fight!