Former US Senator Ben Sasse shared a raw and deeply personal post on social media on Tuesday, December 23, announcing his diagnosis of “stage four pancreatic cancer with metastases.”
“Last week I was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer with metastases and I’m going to die. Advanced pancreas is a nasty thing; it’s a death sentence. But I also had a death sentence before last week; we all have it,” the 53-year-old wrote on his X (formerly known as Twitter).
Despite this diagnosis, Sasse vowed to fight, stating, “I’m not going down without a fight.”
“A subpart of God’s grace is found in the amazing advances that science has made in recent years in immunotherapy and more. Death and dying are not the same: the process of dying is still something that must be experienced. We are zealously embracing a lot of dark humor in our house, and I have committed to doing my part to broadcast the irreverent film,” he added.
Sasse was a notable figure within the Republican Party for his consistent and vocal criticism of US President Donald Trump, especially after the January 6 capital riots.
Most importantly, he was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial.
In January 2023 he resigned from the Senate to lead the University of Florida. After a while, he left the role to care for his wife, Melissa, after she was diagnosed with epilepsy.
The couple has three children.
Sasse concluded his post with a tone of resilience and dark humor, noting, “We are zealously embracing a lot of dark humor in our house, and I have committed to doing my part to play the irreverent tape.”
“Our family is facing the reality of the treatments, but most importantly, as we celebrate Christmas, we wish them peace,” he added.
