Longest-Running Local News Anchor in the Country Announces Alzheimer’s Diagnosis on Air
This was first published by ABC7 Eyewitness News
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) – Journalist, author and Women's Alzheimer's Movement founder Maria Shriver sat down with Eyewitness News Anchor Bill Ritter to discuss her Alzheimer's advocacy during Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.
Shriver has dedicated part of her life as an Alzheimer's advocate following her father's 2003 diagnosis. Following his diagnosis, Shriver said she decided to approach the issue as a journalist.
"What caused it? Who had it? When does it begin?" were questions she began asking.
"The more I learned about it, I realized many of the things that people were telling me were actually outdated," Shriver said.
Shriver said she realized the narrative needed to be updated, so she partnered with the Alzheimer's Association, which began her advocacy work.
"We rewrote the narrative to put women front and center because women are two-thirds of those with this disease," Shriver said. "We rewrote the narrative to explain that Alzheimer's is something that happens in midlife."
Ritter's sit-down with Shriver follows his announcement last Friday in which he revealed he was stepping away from the anchor desk due to an early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Ritter told Shriver that he didn't expect the reaction he received following his announcement but knew he was meant to be an advocate from now on at WABC.
"Right here in my heart (I know) I should be doing this and I'm going to do it," Ritter said.
"I have no doubt in my mind or in my heart that you will make a tremendous difference in the space you already have," Shriver told Ritter.
You can watch the full interview below.
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