Savannah Guthrie mourned the death of social media influencer Brooke Eby, revealing Oct. 5 on TODAY that she died from ALS on Oct. 1 at the age of 37.
Savannah announced the news while recalling Eby’s “remarkable battle” against the disease.
“(It was) remarkable for the way she bore that devastating diagnosis, which she received at the age of 33, with courage, openness and humor,” Savannah said.
“She was determined to share every aspect of her journey, the videos she posted on social media often hilarious, garnering her a devoted online following of millions.”
Savannah continued by marveling at how Eby always had a smile in the face of her condition.
“Even as her body began to fail her, she kept up her fight, and kept posting, with her trademark humor and spirit,” she said, while noting she created ALStogether, a community for people with ALS.
Eby drew legions of followers on TikTok by chronicling her experience with ALS, posting videos while sharing what life is like with the disease, adding a lighthearted touch to her fatal medical diagnosis.
Savannah initially spoke with Eby on TODAY in 2023 when she explained how she remained so cheerful, despite her condition.
“Brooke, you are the most cheerful person I can imagine who has such a serious diagnosis,” Savannah said. “What gives you that joie de vivre, this joy?”
“Levity is my superpower,” she said. “And it’s really how I’m bringing my story to the world. I’m trying to use humor and really let ALS be heard.”
She also was determined to use her social media videos and her own story to raise awareness of ALS.
“I think people are so scared to talk about a terminal diagnosis and death and what that looks like in a young person, but if you see yourself in me and you’re able to laugh with me, then hopefully people are taking away more about ALS,” she said.
It’s a sentiment she shared in an essay she wrote for TODAY.com in 2023.
“ALS is very much still a hopeless disease,” she wrote. “The scary part is that so much is unknown about why people are affected by it, but if any of my videos can help start conversations to drive awareness — and then drive pressure and resources — then maybe we can find a cure, or a way to make this a livable disease.”