Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube, has shared a poignant and informative blog post about her unexpected diagnosis and two-year battle with lung cancer. The post, published on YouTube's blog, offers a personal and introspective look at Wojcicki's experience with the disease, as well as her efforts to raise awareness and support cancer research.

In the blog post, Wojcicki reveals that she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, despite having no symptoms and being an avid runner. She notes that she had never smoked, making the diagnosis even more shocking. Wojcicki's message highlights the often-overlooked fact that women are disproportionately affected by lung cancer, with two-thirds of non-smokers diagnosed with the disease being women.

Wojcicki's diagnosis led to a significant shift in her life, as she resigned from her role as CEO of YouTube to focus on her health and family. Despite this, she continued to serve on various boards, including Salesforce, Planet Labs, and Waymo, as well as nonprofit organizations like Room to Read and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). However, her primary focus turned to supporting cancer research, an effort she had already been actively pursuing with her husband before her diagnosis.

The blog post sheds light on the underresearched and misunderstood nature of lung cancer, with Wojcicki and her husband having donated millions of dollars to support early detection research, new immunotherapy options, and fundamental research into the mechanisms and science behind the disease. Wojcicki's efforts have also focused on building a community of genotyped patients to better understand the disease.

Susan Wojcicki's legacy at YouTube and Google cannot be overstated. As the 16th employee to join Google in 1998, she played a critical role in shaping the company's trajectory. During her tenure as YouTube's CEO from 2014 to 2023, Wojcicki fostered the growth of the online creator celebrity phenomenon, leaving a lasting impact on the platform.

Wojcicki's final blog post serves as a powerful testament to her dedication to raising awareness about lung cancer and its impact on women. Her story is a poignant reminder of the importance of continued research and support for those affected by the disease. As YouTube CEO Neal Mohan noted, Wojcicki had planned to publish the post this fall, but unfortunately passed away unexpectedly in August.

The tech community and beyond will undoubtedly miss Susan Wojcicki's leadership and vision, but her legacy will continue to inspire and educate through her heartfelt blog post. You can read the full message on YouTube's blog, and learn more about Wojcicki's remarkable life and achievements.