Yolanda Hadid Honors Her Late Best Friend Battling ALS With Heartbreaking Tribute

What a hard day for Yolanda Hadid.
On Wednesday, Yolanda revealed the sad news that her best friend Ellie O’Connell has passed away after a five-year battle with ALS.
Related: Yolanda Undergoes A New Lyme Disease Treatment
For those who don’t know, ALS (AKA amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease), is a horrific condition which weakens the body’s muscles until it can no longer function. At this time, the disease has no cure.
According to Hadid, Ellie sadly succumbed to her illness despite an amazing fight. O’Connell was hanging on to see her daughter graduate college in 2017, a wish which will tragically go unfilled.
Despite the heartbreak, the model did her best to honor her close pal’s legacy in a touching Instagram post:

├ó┬¥┬ñ├»┬╕┬ÅR.I.P and fly with the Angels my love @ellieod Thank you for 16 great years and showing me the meaning of true and loyal friendship until your last breath. You are my hero and will live in my heart forever…… #AlsWarrior #MyBestFriendA photo posted by YOLANDA (@yolanda.hadid) on Aug 30, 2016 at 11:43pm PDT

Wow, what a horrible loss. We imagine the two bonded over their mutual health issues — the Real Housewives alum knows suffering all to well thanks to her ongoing battle with lyme disease.
Obviously, this isn’t the first time the reality star has posted about her friend.
Check out additional tributes to Ellie’s memory (below):

├ó┬¥┬ñ├»┬╕┬ÅOut of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; I love you my beautiful angel @ellieod …….You are my hero, my best friend and a shining light to all battling #ALS #Girlfriends #Blessings #LifeA photo posted by YOLANDA (@yolanda.hadid) on Aug 26, 2016 at 7:23pm PDT

├ó┬¥┬ñ├»┬╕┬ÅTBT Happy times before the ALS tragedy took over my sweet Ellie, my Hero and my Best Friend……………………………..Please help me raise funds for her care……………… https://www.gofundme.com/ellieals —— Donations small/big are appreciated or just your WORDS of KINDNESS, support and encouragement will make each day a better one for her. #ALS #Friends911 #TheFightForLife @ellieod #PeopleUniteA photo posted by YOLANDA (@yolanda.hadid) on Mar 17, 2016 at 6:55pm PDT

├ó┬¥┬ñThis is A true Hero and example of devine power & strength of a mother determined to see her daughter graduate college…….. @ellieod #ALS #Awareness #Mother Ellie was first diagnosed 5 years ago when ALS presented back pain and muscle weakness -Eventually, ALL muscles under voluntary control were affected, Ellie lost her strength and the ability to move her arms, legs, and body. When her muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall failed, she lost the ability to breathe without ventilatory support. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. Ellie’s goal is to see her daughter Gracie graduate in 2017. This disease has not impaired her mind or intelligence and on good days she still voice dictates a badass blog on her site www.HaveSomeDecorum.com #StrenghtOfAMothersHeart #PrayersForEllie
A photo posted by YOLANDA (@yolanda.hadid) on Mar 18, 2016 at 8:47am PDT

So heartbreaking. We bet the pain is even more excruciating for O’Connell’s daughter.
Our thoughts go out to Ellie’s loved ones and friends during this difficult time.
[Image via Instagram.]