Liz Bonis, medical reporter for Sinclair Broadcast Group’s WKRC-TV, Local 12 in Cincinnati, encouraged others to participate in medical trials and new medical procedures. True to her word, Liz participated in six clinical trials for experimental oncology drugs during her last four years. Through these, she courageously fought what ultimately became a fatal war with colon cancer. These drugs lengthened her life, no doubt improving it as well. She lived as she challenged others to, but succumbed to this brutal disease on Thursday evening, April 30, 2026. She was at her desk even in her last days, and her stories and programs were shared across the network. Liz loved what she did and the people with whom she worked.
Even after her April 2023 diagnosis and five surgeries, Liz was determined, not to be the story, but to get the story. Even at the end of her life, she told no one about her fight. Instead, she reported vigorously on new medical technology and cancer treatments even as her options dwindled. She chose instead to assist researchers and patients looking for solutions to others’ health challenges rather than focus on her own. Liz died like she lived, always determined to do the best she could on that day, and to be better the next. She worked doggedly until the end, never disclosing the severity of her circumstance to anyone. Her medical team, led by Dr. Doug Flora, Dr. Joseph Guenther and Karen Burke were truly godsends in extending the length and quality of her life.
Respecting her wishes of confidentiality, Franco Gentile, Vice President & General Manager at Local 12, was especially gracious during her final days…