Ananda Lewis texted her best pal Stephanie Elam,” We come in like and choose to keep it with passion as well,” before passing away.
Ananda Lewis, a former MTV VJ and advocate, passed away yesterday at the age of 52 after a long battle with breast cancer. Stephanie Elam, Lewis ‘ best friend, shared the powerful message that her best friend left behind in the media trailblazer as Lewis ‘ family, friends, and supporters grieved the media leader.
Elam read parts of Lewis ‘ final text message to her before passing, and Elam explained that things had taken a different turn than she would have liked. You are aware of what I mean. We all depart. All of these organizations may be returned. We fall in love and then decide to leave it in passion. My lifelong best friend and bestie of besties is everything I love you.
Lewis first made the initial announcement that she had breast cancer in 2020. She chose to keep her tumor and use natural remedies to remove it from her body while declining her doctor’s recommendation for a triple mastectomy at the time. She was informed, but, in 2024 that her tumor had advanced to level IV and had spread.
” My initial goal was to eliminate all waste in my brain. I thought my brain was smart, and I am aware that it is. Our systems are extraordinarily made, Lewis remarked in a 2024 CNN exclusive with Elam. ” I made the decision to keep my malignancy and try to get it out of my brain in a different way.”
Elam, who had spent the night before she passed, said her companion was “at peacefulness” with her choice despite the fact that her choice was innovative.
” I want everyone to understand that she was at peace with this choice,” she said. She understood it very well. We assumed that we would have days, but it eventually turned into times, and it turned out to be just a matter of hours. How items changed really fast, the CNN journalist said. She wished she had gone after cancers the way she did. And despite the fact that so many of us nearer to her wanted her to try [traditional treatments ], she was hard-headed and wanted it her own way. This is what she intended to accomplish.
She has been my journey or death for the third and final third of my career. We have been there and had experienced difficulties. We had constantly text and information one another, she continued, reflecting on her friendship with her best friend. And we’re only going to honor her hopes right then. I’ve known for nights, but I’ve really been working and respecting her right to privacy while she was away.
Elam explained that she is honoring her best friend’s tradition while grieving as she rallies around Lewis ‘ son Langston.
” Only paying attention to the reputation Ananda has left behind. Because she agreed to join us in that talk in October, and because we can see what has happened, I can safely say that CNN outlet Sara Sidner and Ananda have saved lives. I’m so proud of her for having this conversation because if she has encouraged others to go out and get their mammograms and get all the testing done, I know it’s terrifying and miserable, but please do it. Save a career, please. Enjoy yourself around. That’s what she wanted people to know, and that’s what I want people to know as well,” Elam said. In addition to being a wonderful mother, auntie, and friend, she said,” And it’s difficult in these days without her, but I do believe that is her lasting legacy.”
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Originally sourced via trusted media partner. https://thegrio.com/2025/06/12/ananda-lewis-powerful-message-to-best-friend-before-passing-i-love-you-my-wonderful-life-long-bestie/
