Remembering Steve
Trying to capture Professor Steve Schwarze’s life in a series of paragraphs is a fool’s errand. The immense breadth of his intellectual capacity is only matched by the size of his compassion for others. What we write here will never be enough. All of you who know Steve, know exactly what we mean. He was so many things to so many people: beloved father, son, husband, brother, friend, teacher, and patient, to name only a few.
After his diagnosis of colon cancer in March of 2016, his research interests turned towards the disease and finding ways to help others who did not have the resources or capacity he did to find treatment options that could extend their lives. He became the director of Clinical Trials Programming for the online community COLONTOWN. There, he coordinated the expansion of education, training, and conversation around clinical trials. He also led a Clinical Trials Navigator program, which trained community members to help fellow patients learn to navigate the complex decision-making process involved in trials.
Even while battling his own disease, he found ways to improve the lives of those around him. He found so much joy and purpose in COLONTOWN, particularly in the darkest days.
To his thousands of “neighbors,” Steve was a source of sage advice, sly humor, and an unfailingly clear view of the experience of a stage IV patient.
To honor Steve, please consider giving to PALTOWN, the nonprofit that supports the COLONTOWN community and its programs to educate patients and caregivers.
Donations will go to the Steve Schwarze Fund to help patients learn about the latest treatment options and research results. The work he began will continue, and so many families will benefit from his legacy in the community.
