A Visionary Leader, Dedicated Advisor, and Generous Supporter
With heavy hearts, Mission: Cure shares the news of the passing of our beloved board member, Sam Shrauger.
Sam first connected with Mission: Cure in late 2021. We learned that he and many of his family members, including his son, lived with hereditary chronic pancreatitis, a painful, lifelong disease he knew intimately as both a patient and a caregiver.
From the beginning, Sam brought an unmatched combination of empathy, insight, and determination to our cause. In June 2022, he joined our Board of Directors, where he helped shape Mission: Cure into the organization it is today.
A Legacy of Impact
Despite his impressive professional accomplishments, Sam was deeply humble. He applied his experience as an innovator, a mentor, and a leader in the payments field to come up with creative yet practical ideas to advance our mission.
Many of Mission: Cure’s greatest strides—from launching the first N-of-1 clinical trial to persuading biotech companies to develop therapies for hereditary pancreatitis—were made possible because of his leadership and generosity.
Sam also made time for what mattered most: connecting personally with families whose children were suffering. He offered encouragement, understanding, and hope.
“He believed wholeheartedly that we would cure pancreatitis,” said Mission: Cure CEO, Megan Golden. “We are devastated that he won’t be here to see that day, but we will carry his vision forward.”
Honoring His Commitment
Sam’s passing is a painful reminder that a cure cannot wait. He understood Mission: Cure’s mission deeply and was determined to ensure that future generations would not endure the suffering he and his family experienced.
His legacy lives on in the progress still to come, fueled by the unwavering commitment of all who were inspired by his belief in what’s possible.
In His Own Words
Many of you met Sam during our 2023 Moments of Hope Gala, where he was honored as that year’s Hope Honoree.
Below is a short excerpt from his remarks.
Carrying His Vision Forward
Mission: Cure will continue to honor Sam’s memory by relentlessly pursuing cures for pancreatitis, including PRSS1, the genetic form he lived with and sought to end.
We invite you to join us in carrying forward his legacy of hope and determination. Join our newsletter to stay connected with our progress.
About Mission: Cure
At Mission: Cure, we are dedicated to finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for pancreatitis. Through patient education, research, and advocacy, we strive to improve the lives of those affected by this condition.
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