'There’s No Cure': Famed NYC TV Anchor Reveals Diagnosis Live On-Air, And It’s Powerful - HuffPost

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It’s not easy for me to say all that to you, our viewers, and the people I work with.” After several heartfelt shoutouts to his colleagues at the station, Ritter discussed how his diagnosis is impacting his family. “My kids say, ‘Dad, you’re being so brave with all this,’” he shared. “But no, it’s not me who’s brave — it’s they who are brave, as is my wife, Kathleen.” The newscaster said that although he won’t be anchoring the local news any longer, he would still be very much involved in the station. “I’m going to continue working right here at ABC7,” he said. “I will continue helping the younger journalists here at ‘Eyewitness News.’ Hey, I’m now 76 years old, so for me, everyone in the newsroom is a lot younger than I am.” He added that he won’t disappear from viewers’ screens altogether. “I’m also going to remain a journalist here at ‘Eyewitness News,’ and so you will still see me on air and online.” Ritter also revealed that his future work at the station will be personal. “This station wants to dig deeper into the rising tide of Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases,” Ritter said. “How it’s affecting patients and their families. How the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable. And how this country might begin to change all that.” Ritter made it a point to add he’s “not a stranger to this disease.” “My dad died with it in June 1998,” he said. “I have since been active in the fight to stop Alzheimer’s, and I will continue doing that, along with my friend Mike Marza, who took my place, you recall, last year on ‘Eyewitness News’ at 5 and 11.” In his emotional conclusion, Ritter said: “I am going to so miss reporting the news to all of you, with the truth and with facts, no matter where they fall. It has been my honor to do just that. But for now, I wish you health and peace. And let’s take care of each other.” Ritter began working at “Eyewitness News” in 1998, according to his bio on the ABC7 website. He began by anchoring weekends, and eventually became the weekday 11 p.m. anchor in 1999. In 2001, he began anchoring the 6 p.m. time slot as well. He has also worked as a correspondent for ABC News and “20/20.” Ritter (far right) on "Good Morning America" on Monday. Paula Lobo via Getty ImagesOn Monday, Ritter explained to his colleagues on “Good Morning America,” that as a journalist, he felt it was only right to be transparent and honest with his viewers. “My job as a journalist is to speak honestly to the public,” he said. “Truth and facts is what we deal with.” He also shared with “GMA” that two years before his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, he began to notice he was experiencing memory loss. “I realize I was forgetting people, names and places,” Ritter recalled. “Didn’t know why this was happening. My wife also noticed it.” Ritter said initially he thought his demanding schedule might be to blame, so he began scaling back his hours at the station, and although he said he was “finally getting a decent night sleep,” he “wasn’t getting better.” “And so, it was at that moment, just like that, we said, ‘I gotta get tested,’” Ritter recalled. “And that really was an important thing. A lot of people say, ‘I’m fine, don’t worry about it, I’m going to be fine.’ No. You gotta go do this.” He also revealed his initial response after being diagnosed. “My first reaction was, I thought about my dad,” Ritter said. “That was immediate. He just popped into my head. And then a couple of seconds later, I was scared. I don’t mind saying that. It was scary.” Fox News Correspondent Reveals Cancer Diagnosis That Stemmed From Covering 9/11Fox News' John Roberts Suddenly Off The Air As He Battles 'Severe' Disease Go to HomepageLeave a CommentSuggest a correction|Submit a tip From Our Partner HPGam.cmd.push(function(){ return HPGam.render("sidebar-1", "right_rail_content_1", false, false); }); From Our Partner HuffPost Shopping'sBest FindsLoading...Newsletter Sign UpEntertainmentDon't miss a beat. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet.Successfully Signed Up!Realness delivered to your inboxBy entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.