In August this year, Susan Wojcicki , a towering figure in the tech industry and a trailblazer in corporate leadership, passed away after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Her journey, marked by unwavering hope and determination, continues to inspire millions, particularly during Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November. In a heartfelt tribute, Neal Mohan, the current CEO of YouTube , shared her final blog post, written in the weeks leading up to her passing.
Mohan highlighted her resilience, stating, “For two years, she fought cancer the same way she lived the rest of her life – with hope, a curiosity to learn, and a determination to scale research efforts that could save lives.” Wojcicki’s story underscores the importance of awareness, early detection, and research in combating lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Ex-YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki's last letter In late 2022, Wojcicki received a lung cancer diagnosis that profoundly changed her life.
At the time, she was asymptomatic and led an active lifestyle, including daily running. The diagnosis came as a shock, especially since she had never smoked, a common misconception tied to lung cancer. Reflecting on her journey, Wojcicki shared her newfound perspective: “Life is unpredictable for everyone, with many unknowns, but there is a lot of beauty in everyday life.
My goals going forward are to enjoy the present as much as possible and fight for better understanding and cures for this diseas.