Github cofounder’s fight with cancer
Sid Sijbrandij is a co-founder of Github – he’s also battling cancer. He was diagnosed and went through a standard round of treatment in 2022 that appeared successful. Unfortunately, it came back in 2024 and he was told he had exhausted the standard of care and there were currently no trials.
In facing this information, he said “Assumptions might, quite literally, kill me”. He went back to his roots and engaged what he calls ‘founder mode’.
“Founder Mode meant going deep on every diagnostic and treatment option. It meant assembling a team of physicians and scientists to work from first principles to understand what was possible beyond standard protocols.”
He became directly involved in his care by putting together a organization of doctors and advisors from all over the world. He and his team compile detailed entries for every medical interaction or meeting with a cancer researcher or oncology company they take. The document has grown to over 1,000 pages for just 2025.
Since standard care was exhausted, he set out to create what he called a ‘therapeutic ladder’ of possible treatments. Some rungs on this ladder are existing medicines that could potentially be repurposed from other cancers based on information gained from diagnostics. Others are individualized therapies designed in collaboration with researchers or companies specifically for Sid.
Did it work?
While not considered a cure, as of 2026 Sid’s cancer has been in remission for 18 months.
What did he learn?
A lot. He learned you can also navigate a world-wide health system – not just the US one. Some of the lessons were absolutely fascinating, and worth a read here.
I found the article a great read because I felt, and acted, very similarly when cancer entered my (and several friend’s) lives. I have a huge file of what I learned and was ready to go anywhere I needed to seek treatment. I continue to keep getting 2nd and 3rd opinions and keeping in touch with cancer centers in case it comes back. Diseases like cancer can’t be considered ‘one and done’. You never know when they might come back; so be ready and live the best life you can with the time you have.
