Back in July of 2017, longtime WAFB (Baton Rouge) Anchor Donna announced her diagnosis to viewers during 6 p.m. newscast.

She told viewers she had ALS, a disease in which there is no cure.

“I’d like to share some personal news with you tonight,” Donna said. “I have ALS, Lou Gherig’s disease. For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. So, now I know what’s been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping,” she said.

Following her diagnosis, thousands of viewers and well-wishers showed up for “Donna Britt Day,” a charity event hosted by Chef John Folse to raise money for ALS research.

Donna retired from the station and anchored her last newscast nearly one year after publicly announcing her diagnosis. She signed off the air on June 13, 2018 after 38 years of service at WAFB.

Yesterday, she lost her fight with ALS.

RIP