With the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg yesterday, the United States honors an icon. Accolades abound of her amazing life and accomplishments from academia through twenty years on the Supreme Court. My own view of her life, however is skewed as a cancer physician. I have tapped her strength and example many times in the past few years as she battled pancreatic cancer. When diagnosed with one of the most life threatening diseases, Justice Ruth and Alex Tribec are beacons of hope to my suffering patients. I remind them that tools are available to help them as well.

Just this week young men, ages 54, 45 and 36, arrive with the startling diagnosis, obviously genetically engineered in their bodies. Some are more advanced due to covid delaying care. They are fully aware that 87 years is unavailable to them. Wives, mothers, children  hold their breath and reach for their own inner strength as we discuss the plan. While I am busy with the chemo, radiation, possibly surgery or even nanoknife technology, these courageous men are laser focused elsewhere.

Mark is concerned for families relying on his business- I encourage him to make plans now. Jeff’s question is regarding his young children and involving his parents in raising them as his wife becomes the prime supporter. Tim just completed his law degree and wonders if he should go through with his wedding planned next year.

For each of them and others, the clarity of their situation shines a light on their dependents. They are unselfish in their motivation to ease the burden of their own disease on others.

This is what inspires me today. That each person will leave their own legacy. We may not all be national treasures, but our gifts of sacrifice, true love, and examples of courage are what will live on. Consider your own family. When a senior Italian man came to me this week for care, he immediately reminded me of an uncle I hadn’t thought of in a long time. The resemblance was uncanny. Immediately I recalled his simple, unassuming demeanor. He was always so calm even as he cared for my aunt, also with this devastating diagnosis.  How even thirty years after his passing, he wasn’t remembered for remarkable achievements, but for that strength of character. I smiled when I saw Tony and said, “Oh you remind me so much of my uncle!” Tony quipped, “I hope he was a good guy since my life is in your hands”. My heart melted as I replied, ‘The best”.

We each have that opportunity to leave a generational and beyond legacy that surpasses even our passing. People will long remember you. The time here may be unfairly abbreviated by an illness or trauma, but isn’t it a blessing how we are all gifted with memory, and how our own, and our loved ones’ , passing through is somehow still very present?