Three months after her passing from lung cancer, YouTube has released a poignant letter from its former CEO, Susan Wojcicki, in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Wojcicki, who passed away on August 10 at the age of 56, wrote a heartfelt message weeks before her death, reflecting on her diagnosis, treatment, and hopes for the future of cancer research.
In the letter, Wojcicki revealed her shock upon being diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2022, despite being a non-smoker and maintaining an active lifestyle. "I had almost no symptoms and was running a few miles a day at the time. I had never smoked, so I was totally shocked with this diagnosis. My life changed dramatically after that day," she wrote.
Her diagnosis prompted Wojcicki to step down as YouTube’s CEO, a position she had held for nearly a decade, to prioritize her health and family. Even after leaving her role, she remained active on the boards of Salesforce, Planet Labs, and Waymo.
Wojcicki’s battle with cancer deeply transformed her perspective on life. "Having cancer hasn't been easy. As a person, I have changed a lot, and probably the most important lesson I have learned is just to focus and enjoy the present! Life is unpredictable for everyone, with many unknowns, but there is a lot of beauty in everyday life," she shared in her letter.
She also emphasized the urgent need for advancements in lung cancer treatment and awareness, highlighting that the disease remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.
Wojcicki passed away after a two-year fight with the disease, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and leadership at YouTube, as well as her dedication to raising awareness and advocating for cancer research.
Her final words encapsulated her outlook on life and her goals for the future: "My goals going forward are to enjoy the present as much as possible and fight for better understanding and cures for this disease."