WABC anchor Bill Ritter has revealed he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease as he announced he's stepping away from TV.
The beloved Eyewitness News journalist, 76, shared the emotional news with viewers during Friday's broadcast, confirming it would be his final show.
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"After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's," Ritter said.
"It's 'early stage' Alzheimer's, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay. For now. But there is no guarantee, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer's. So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor."
Ritter, who joined WABC in June 1998 and took over the station's 11 p.m. news in 1999, said he plans to continue reporting on the disease and the impact it has on families across the country.
"This station wants to dig deeper into the rising tide of Alzheimer's and other similar diseases and infected patients and their families, how the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable, and how this might begin to change all that," he said.
The longtime broadcaster also reflected on how the diagnosis has shifted his priorities, revealing he has a grandson on the way.
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"Spending more time with my family has now become even more important, because my life has taken a turn," Ritter said.
The father of three noted that Alzheimer's has already touched his family, sharing that his own father died from the disease.
He ended his moving message by thanking the viewers who welcomed him into their homes for nearly three decades.
"I'm going to so miss reporting the news to all of you with the truth and the 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."
Before arriving at WABC, Ritter covered major stories in Los Angeles, including the Rodney King trial and the LA riots during his time at KTTV-TV and KCAL-TV.
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