40 | SEPTEMBER 24 • 2020 

A Widow’s Personal 
Remembrance of a 
Gifted Healer

LAUREN SACHS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
M

y husband, Dr. Bradley 
Alan Sachs, of Toledo, 
died unexpectedly and 
tragically of a cardiac event Aug. 
24, 2020, at the age of 49. Born 
and raised in Metro 
Detroit, Brad pursued 
a childhood dream of 
becoming a physician, 
attending medical school 
and later sub-specializ-
ing in hematology and 
oncology.
While Brad was at the 
center of my universe 
and that of our two daughters, his 
work treating cancer patients and 
those with blood disorders meant 
he lived a life that truly mattered 
to so many. His compassionate 
and caring ways, along with his 
intelligence and gift for story-
telling, allowed him to develop 
deep bonds with his patients and 
colleagues. 
As he helped patients navi-
gate complex medical treatment 
options, he shared so much of 
himself that patients and col-
leagues became his friends who 
have said that they felt they knew 
our whole family. This deep con-
nection can be seen in excerpts 
from a condolence letter recently 
sent to our family from his former 
scribe turned physician assistant, 
Jacob Redfox. 
In the letter, Jacob shared about 
Brad’
s role as a mentor: “Dr. Sachs 
was one of the most influential 
people in my life, both profes-
sionally and personally … During 
my time throughout school and 
my professional career, I often 
spoke of the knowledge I gained 
from working with him … Since 
Dr. Sachs took time to teach that 
young scribe, I have been able to 
apply that knowledge and change 

people’
s lives as he did on a daily 
basis.
”
Jacob also shared about Brad’
s 
role as a friend: “Listening to his 
stories about traveling to different 
places and all the amazing 
adventures, deeply seeded 
how special his family 
was to him. It always 
made my day when I got 
to talk to him and catch 
up on all the incredible 
stories I missed and, 
of course, catch up on 
Detroit sports and those 
Spartans.
” 
And, perhaps most significant-
ly, Jacob shared about Brad’
s role 
as a gifted healer and role model: 
“Dr. Sachs also demonstrated 
unrivaled compassion toward his 
patients. This was not only evi-
dent during patient interactions 
but expressed to me personally 
by means of his patients. He has 
changed so many lives, and I will 
continue to change countless oth-
ers like he has shown me.
”
Brad was like a bright light 
that burned for others so they 
could walk down their path more 
easily, lifting their spirits in the 
process. While his light has been 
extinguished on Earth, those of 
us who knew and loved him carry 
that light inside ourselves and will 
continue to use it to brighten our 
own lives and help others walk 
down the path of life. 
 We are profoundly thankful 
for the time we had with him and 
for the memories forever burned 
in our hearts and minds. May his 
memory be a blessing now and 
always. Brad is survived by his 
mother, Kathy Green; his brother 
and sister, Ken Sachs and Julie 
Black, along with their families; 
and our two daughters. 

Dr. Bradley Alan Sachs

Soul
of blessed memory

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