As we continue to mourn the loss of Ananda Lewis, journalist Sarah Sidner—who considered Lewis a close friend—opened up to us about the toll of that grief, especially while fighting her own battle with breast cancer.

Ananda Lewis, a former MTV VJ who connected a generation of music fans to their favorite celebrities on the music network, has died at age 52 from breast cancer. CNN’s Sara Sidner and Stephanie Elam shared an emotional tribute about their friend on CNN.