Ben Sasse, a former Nebraska senator and two-time university president, announced on Tuesday his terminal Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
In a sincere, 700-word message on X, the 53-year-old father of three wrote of his faith and gratitude for life.
“Remembering Isaiah’s prophecies of what’s to come doesn’t dull the pain of current sufferings. But it does put it in eternity’s perspective: ‘When we’ve been there 10,000 years…We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise,’” Sasse wrote.
After earning degrees in government and history from Harvard and Yale, Sasse served as a U.S. senator from Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. He resigned from office to serve as the president of the University of Florida until 2024, when he stepped down to be more present at home, as his wife struggled with her health.
In his post, Sasse praised his three children. His oldest daughter, Corrie, was recently commissioned into the Air Force; his middle daughter Alex “kicked butt,” recently graduating from the University of Florida in biology and economics; and his son, “14-year-old Breck started learning how to drive” this past summer.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to constantly get to bear-hug this motley crew of sinners and saints,” he wrote.
However, Sasse’s message was not one of resignation.
“One sub-part of God’s grace is found in the jaw-dropping advances science has made the past few years in immunotherapy and more. Death and dying aren’t the same — the process of dying is still something to be lived. We’re zealously embracing a lot of gallows humor in our house, and I’ve pledged to do my part to run through the irreverent tape," he said.
“Still, I’ve got less time than I’d prefer. This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox responded to Sasse’s diagnosis in a statement to the Deseret News on Tuesday afternoon.
“This is heartbreaking news. Ben Sasse is one of the most brilliant minds in American public life — a rare combination of intellectual rigor, moral clarity, and deep humanity,“ Cox said.
He continued, “But beyond his extraordinary intellect, he is a devoted husband, father, and loyal friend. Our hearts are with Ben, Melissa and their children during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Cox and Sasse collaborated on the governor’s “Disagree Better” campaign in 2024 during the National Governors Association Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City.
Utahns will be joining people across the country “in praying for the Sasse family and for strength, peace, and comfort in the days ahead,” Cox said.
Sasse’s post had reached more than 8 million people on X as of Tuesday afternoon.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee responded, “I’m heartbroken to read this. Many prayers and blessings. You’re such a good husband, father, and person, and this world is a better place because you’re in it.” He added, “Many prayers coming your way.”
Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy also shared his positive thoughts:
“I’ve always been deeply impressed by the way he stands for the right things in life—truth, family, faith, and courage. He’s a good man, and his example continues to matter to so many of us. We need more people like him. Praying for you, and the whole family—may you feel God’s nearness and strength in these hard days."
Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and more than 8,000 others have commented on the post.