Linda Rekant, an assistant to ESPN Senior VP of Communications Rosa Gatti, has died after a battle with cancer, the network said Friday.

Ms. Rekant joined ESPN in 1985 and was an active participant in the network’s V Foundation for Cancer Research before being diagnosed with the disease herself.

“Linda touched many lives, and loved and cared for her colleagues,” Ms. Gatti said in a statement. “And we loved her. She was my friend and she taught me so much. I will miss her deeply.”