A LONGTIME news anchor revealed his final show on air after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Bill Ritter, 76, of ABC New York affiliate WABC, announced his retirement on Friday.
The news anchor has hosted WABC’s Eyewitness News at 6pm since 2001.
“After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s,” Ritter said on Friday.
“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.”
Ritter noted that until a cure is found for Alzheimer’s, Friday will be his final show on air.
In his address to viewers, Ritter said he planned to “cut back a bit” after turning 75 last year.
Ritter recently became a grandfather and hopes to spend more time with his family following his diagnosis.
“I also want to say thanks to my bosses at WABC. They have treated me and my family with compassion and humanity, and love,” Ritter said.
“As for my family, my kids say, “dad–you’re being so brave in all this.” But no–it’s not me, it’s them who are being brave. As is my wife Kathleen.”
Instead of being on-air daily, Ritter said he plans to remain with WABC to continue helping younger journalists and reporters.
“Hey, I’m now 76. So, for me, everyone in the newsroom is younger than I am,” he said.
Ritter also said that he wants to remain a journalist at WABC to help the station dig deeper on Alzheimer’s.
“Including how it’s affecting patients and their families, how the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable and how this country might begin to change that,” he said.
“I am going to so miss reporting the news to you. With the truth, and with facts, no matter where they fall. It has been my honor to do that. For now, I wish you health and peace, and let’s take care of each other.”
WABC General Manager Marilu Galvez praised Ritter’s work saying that he “is strong, brilliant, and resourceful.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s is expected to reach 14 million by 2060.
