14.06.2025 11:00
Former MTV host Ananda Lewis lost her battle with stage 4 breast cancer. CNN reporter Stephanie Elam shared Lewis's final message to the public shortly before her passing: "These bodies are entrusted to us, and they will be returned when the time comes. We came with love, and we choose to depart with love." These words have been etched in memory as her most meaningful farewell.
It has been reported that Ananda Lewis, the former MTV host, passed away after announcing that her breast cancer had reached stage 4 in October 2024. The news of the famous personality's death was shared by her sister through an emotional post on Facebook on Wednesday, June 11. The post included the words, "She is now free and in His arms in heaven. May God grant her soul peace."
SHE HAD REFUSED SURGERY
CNN reporter Stephanie Elam participated in a program hosted by Sara Sidner on Thursday, sharing her last contact with Lewis with the public. Elam stated that Lewis had refused a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts) despite her doctors' recommendations, saying, "There is something I want everyone to know: She was at peace with this decision, she had accepted it. However, her health deteriorated faster than expected. Elam said, "We thought we had weeks, then it went down to days, and then there were only hours left."
FAREWELL MESSAGE: 'THESE BODIES ARE ON LOAN'
Lewis's last message was also read live on air. Elam shared part of the message with the words, "In the message she wrote to me, she said that not everything was going as she wanted. And she continued: 'You know how I feel about this. We all leave one day. These bodies are on loan and must be returned. We came with love and choose to leave in the same way.'" Lewis's last words were heart-wrenching, "I love you, my closest friend for life, the best of friends."
SHE ANNOUNCED HER FIGHT AGAINST CANCER IN 2020
Ananda Lewis first announced in 2020 that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and explained that she had avoided getting mammograms for years due to fear of radiation. In this post on social media, she had tried to raise awareness among women about regular check-ups. In an October 2024 roundtable discussion she participated in on CNN, Lewis announced that her illness had progressed to stage 4 and shared the reasoning behind her decision not to have her tumor removed despite her doctors' recommendations.