Susan Wojcicki raises lung cancer awareness following her diagnosis
- Susan Wojcicki was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2022 and passed away in August 2024.
- In her final blog post, she highlighted the need for increased research awareness, especially for women, who often die from lung cancer.
- Wojcicki's message serves as a call to action for funding and support in the fight against lung cancer.
In late 2022, Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube, received an unexpected lung cancer diagnosis, which altered her life dramatically. Despite being a non-smoker and running several miles daily, the diagnosis came as a shock. In her final weeks before her passing in August 2024, Wojcicki penned a blog post outlining her experience with the disease, highlighting the prevalence of lung cancer among women and her efforts to improve research and awareness of the condition. She revealed that two-thirds of non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer are women, emphasizing the importance of addressing this often overlooked disease. Wojcicki dedicated her life to advancing support for cancer research after her diagnosis, building on previous efforts with her husband. They invested millions into research initiatives focused on early detection, immunotherapy treatments, and understanding the genetic factors influencing lung cancer. Despite stepping down from her role as CEO in focus of her health, Wojcicki maintained involvement on several boards, including those of Salesforce and Waymo, as well as nonprofit organizations, until her death. Reflecting on her journey, Wojcicki underscored the critical need for more research and understanding of lung cancer, stating that it has long been misunderstood. Her message served as a final reminder of the fight against the disease, advocating for greater awareness and funding for research to save lives. Wojcicki believed in the potential of modern medicine and the importance of community support in tackling such daunting health challenges. Her passing is not only a loss for her family and colleagues but also for the many women impacted by lung cancer. It highlights the need for broader conversations around women's health issues and the significance of understanding risk factors associated with lung cancer, particularly for those who do not fit the traditional profile of lung cancer patients.