Ex-Sen. Ben Sasse Battles Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, Faces Limited Time Left

Former US Senator Ben Sasse, a 53-year-old Republican from Nebraska, has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, leaving him with a limited time to live. In a heartfelt statement on social media, Sasse shared the devastating news, saying, 'I'm gonna die.' Sasse expressed his struggles with the diagnosis, stating, 'Death is a wicked thief, and the bastard pursues us all.' He acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly as a husband and father, but remains determined to make the most of the time he has left. 'I'll have more to say. I'm not going down without a fight,' he vowed. The news has sparked an outpouring of support for Sasse, with Vice President JD Vance and former Senate colleague Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) extending their condolences. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) also shared his own experience with pancreatic cancer, urging greater progress in detection and treatment. Sasse's career in politics spanned two terms in the Senate, during which he was a key figure in the 2021 impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. He left the Senate in 2023 to become the president of the University of Florida, but resigned in July 2024 due to his wife's health issues. Sasse and his wife, Melissa, have three children, including a daughter serving in the US Air Force and a son who is 14 years old. The family has faced challenges in recent years, with Sasse's wife being diagnosed with epilepsy in 2024. Despite the difficulties, Sasse remains committed to his faith and his loved ones, saying, 'Death and dying aren’t the same — the process of dying is still something to be lived.'