Fiona MacDonald has announced her own death in her latest social media post.
The former children's TV host, best known for her work on It’s A Knockout and Wombat, has been battling Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since November 2021 and decided to stop any further treatment due to how debilitating the symptoms were.
According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, MND is a condition that affects the nerves known as motor neurons, which are found in the brain and spinal cord and aid one's muscles in movement and regular function.
Those who suffer from the disease see muscles weaken, stiffen, and waste, which can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink, and breathe leading to multiple difficulties doing simple things.
Other symptoms also affect the way one thinks, resulting in a host of cognitive and social issues, but the association emphasized that symptoms can vary between patients who suffer from MND.
For MacDonald, this illness has progressively gotten worse over the past three years, so much so, that she decided to write her own death announcement in advance and leave her sister, Kylie, with the responsibility of posting it when she eventually passed.
Just ten hours ago, the heartbreaking statement went live on Instagram, alerting followers that MacDonald had passed away aged 67.
"Farewell my friends. My sister Kylie is posting this because I have left the building - Hopefully I’m looking down from a cloud," she started the lengthy statement. "Last night brought an end to a very tough few months. Was very peaceful the boys and Kylie stayed with me to say goodbye. While I’ve never wanted to die, the thought of leaving my tortured body was a relief."
She went on to talk about how difficult the past few months have been for her.
"Unable to swallow normal food, the tube feeding that should have sustained me didn’t work because my gut couldn’t tolerate any of the multiple brands of protein drinks. It went straight in and straight out," she said. "I have been slowly starving, growing weaker and weaker. I’ve also developed terrible back pain because my muscles aren’t supporting my frame."
The TV presenter stated that she stopped all her treatment options and went into "end of life palliative care."
"Let’s not call it goodbye as I hope to see you again on the other side. Until then: 'May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rain fall softly upon your fields until we meet again, And may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.'
"I carry your love and laughter with me and hope you’ll remember mine," she concluded.
Of course, thousands of fans were left heartbroken upon hearing the news, with many taking to the comments to leave messages during this difficult time.
"Oh Fiona what a shining light you have been. So brave, strong, courageous and magnificent in cruel adversity. Sending love to your family and your incredible, supportive friends. Tears," wrote one user while another added: "What a spectacular human you were here on this planet! I’m sure there is something fabulously entertaining on the other side and you’re just joining in the groove. Shine on Sista, Like the moon, the stars and the Sun. Big love to all your loving family."
And a third even addressed MacDonald's sister.
"This hits hard, Kylie. Your sister was very brave. But you and her boys were awfully brave too - how hard it must have been to say goodbye. All my love, Donna. PS Fiona has taught everyone how to face illness with dignity, grace, humour, spirit, daring... I’d say Rest in Peace but it doesn’t seem to fit her!!"
The heartfelt message was accompanied by some personal photos, the first being of her smiling alongside her two sons – Harry and Rafe – as well as their family dog.
After leaving her career on TV behind, MacDonald worked as a business development manager and PR and communications manager for wine marketers Fine Wine Partners until she was no longer able to work.
Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult period.
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