Longtime TV news anchor Jovita Moore died Thursday night at 53 after a months long battle with cancer, WSB announced Friday morning.
"Jovita died overnight, seven months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer," the station's statement said.
"Back in April doctors discovered two masses on Jovita's brain. After surgery, they diagnosed her with glioblastoma, the most common type of brain cancer," WSB said. There is no cure, said the statement.
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Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.
Glioblastoma can occur at any age, but tends to occur more often in older adults. It can cause worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting and seizures.
Also known as glioblastoma multiforme, the disease can be very difficult to treat and a cure is often not possible. Treatments may slow progression of the cancer and reduce signs and symptoms.
Symptoms include headache, nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, personality changes, and seizures.
People may experience:
- Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting
- Muscular: abnormality walking or weakness of one side of the body
- Cognitive: inability to speak or understand language or mental confusion
- Visual: double vision or visual impairment
- Also common: difficulty speaking, headache, personality change, seizures, sleepiness, or swelling
Growing up, Moore loved the news, as her mother Yvonne would come home from work, turn on the television and watch the news, and she enjoyed watching it with her mother. She earned a Bachelor's degree from Bennington College and interned at the New York Times. Eventually, she got a Masters' degree for broadcast journalism at Columbia University.
She had been with Channel 2 Action News since 1998, where she anchored evening newscasts. Before moving to Atlanta, the native New Yorker was on the air at WMC-TV in Memphis and KFSM in Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Arkansas, where she started her career, WSB-TV stated.
In April 2021, doctors diagnosed Moore with two tumors on her brain. She underwent successful surgery to remove the tumors, but she was later diagnosed with glioblastoma.
After her diagnosis, Moore leaned heavily on her faith and spiritual leaders in the community through her battle with the disease.
Pastor Jamal Bryant said he wishes he had known Moore longer. He met her back in 2019 when he became the pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
“It went from, ‘What’s happening on Netflix,’ to ‘Stay focused,’” Bryant said. “She was always receptive to prayer. I’m comforted knowing she had a relationship with God. She had accomplished so much.”
Moore was known for her contributions to the Atlanta community.
"She donated countless hours to civic associations and non-profit organizations across metro Atlanta. She mentored students and sat on several boards of directors," WSB said.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and her husband are "deeply saddened by the loss of our friend," the mayor said in a statement. "Even those who did not know her personally felt a deep and personal connection to Jovita. She loved Atlanta dearly.
"May her beautiful spirit soar. Jovita will be truly missed."
