Yesterday, information broke that former MTV VJ and activist Ananda Lewis died at 52 years previous after an extended battle with breast most cancers. As Lewis’ household, buddies, and followers grieve the media trailblazer, her greatest good friend Stephanie Elam shared the highly effective message her bestie left her with.
“Issues had taken a unique flip than she would have favored,” Elam defined, studying components of Lewis’ final textual content message to her earlier than she handed. “ my emotions on this. All of us go. These our bodies are all loans and should be returned. We are available love and select to go away it with love as properly. I really like you, my fantastic life-long bestie of bestie of besties.”
Lewis first introduced that she was identified with breast most cancers in 2020. On the time, she declined her physician’s advice for a double mastectomy, opting to maintain her tumor and make the most of homeopathic strategies to flush it out. Nevertheless, in 2024, she realized that her tumor had metastasized to stage IV and unfold.
“My plan at first was to get out extreme toxins in my physique. I felt like my physique is clever, I do know that to be true. Our our bodies are brilliantly made,” Lewis defined in a 2024 CNN particular with Elam. “I made a decision to maintain my tumor and attempt to work it out of my physique a unique manner.”
Whereas her resolution was unconventional, Elam, who had been with Lewis the evening earlier than she handed, pressured that her good friend was “at peace” along with her resolution.
“One factor I need everybody to know is that she was at peace with this resolution. She had come to grips with it. We thought we had weeks, then it became days, after which, really, it was only a matter of hours. It occurred in a short time how issues modified,” the CNN journalist shared. “She wished to go after most cancers the way in which she did it. And I really like my lady, however she’s hard-headed and she or he wished to do it her personal manner, even if so many people near her wished her to attempt [traditional treatments]. That is what she wished to do.”
“Two-thirds of my life, she has been my experience or die. We have now been there, going by issues. We might textual content and message one another on a regular basis,” she added, reflecting on her relationship along with her greatest good friend. “And now we’re simply respecting her needs. I’ve recognized for days, however I’ve simply been working and getting previous it and respecting that she wished her privateness till she was gone.”
As she rallies round Lewis’ son Langston, Elam defined that she is celebrating her greatest good friend’s legacy as she grieves.
“Simply taking note of the legacy that Ananda has left. As a result of she agreed to be part of that dialog with us in October, and since we see what has occurred, I really consider that [Ananda and CNN anchor Sara Sidner] have helped save lives. I’m so pleased with her for being open and sincere and brave to have this dialog, as a result of if she has inspired anybody to go on the market and to get their mammograms, get all of the testing finished…I do know it’s scary and uncomfortable, however please do it. Save a life. Be right here, thrive. That’s what she wished individuals to know, and that’s what I need individuals to know too,” Elam concluded. “And it’s tough in nowadays with out her, however I do assume that that’s her lasting legacy, apart from all the different fantastic issues she did as an superior mother, auntie, and good friend.”
