Even after beating breast cancer 5 years ago, “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts is now facing a new medical battle.
Just moments ago, Robin Roberts wrapped today’s “GMA” with a tearful announcement. The typically cool, calm & collected host made an emotional reveal about her new medical condition–myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It is a rare blood disorder that used to be known as “preluekemia.”
Robin explained that she will be wearing an IV in her arm for the rest of the week on “GMA” as she will constantly have blood drawn in order to prepare for a bone marrow transplant later this summer. And despite the fact that it is most difficult for black women to find bone marrow donors, luckily, her older sister is a perfect match.
And another reason why the amazing Robin is a great example of grace under pressure, the newly inducted Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer found out about her blood disorder the same day as her huge interview with President Obama. And she kept it a secret.
Robin, surrounded by her co-hosts, repeated that she knows she will beat this because her faith tells her so. And when Lara Spencer asked what the co-hosts could do for her, she responded:
You crave normalcy when you go through this because nothing is normal anymore. I need pop news, I need sports! I need you to be who you are, what you are. This too shall pass.
Below is the letter Robin sent to her colleagues and posted to ABC’s website explaining her condition and revealing that she WILL beat this.
Here we go again…
As many of you know, 5 years ago I beat breast cancer. I’ve always been a fighter, and with all of your prayers and support, a winner.
Sometimes the treatment for cancer can cause other serious medical problems. Today, I want to let you know that I’ve been diagnosed with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. It’s a disease of the blood and bone marrow and was once known as preleukemia.
My doctors tell me I’m going to beat this — and I know it’s true.
If you Google MDS, you may find some scary stuff, including statistics that my doctors insist don’t apply to me. They say I’m younger and fitter than most people who confront this disease and will be cured.
Today, I will start what is known as pre-treatment — chemotherapy in advance of a bone marrow transplant later this year. Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women. I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure. As you know from my recent interview with Mark Zuckerberg, organ donation is vitally important. Many people don’t realize they can be bone marrow donors. I encourage everyone to sign up on a donor registry like bethematch.org.
I received my MDS diagnosis on the very day that Good Morning America finally beat the Today Show for the first time in 16 years. Talk about your highs and lows! Then a few weeks ago, during a rather unpleasant procedure to extract bone marrow for testing, I received word that I would interview President Obama the next day. The combination of landing the biggest interview of my career and having a drill in my back reminds me that God only gives us what we can handle and that it helps to have a good sense of humor when we run smack into the absurdity of life.
Bottom line: I’ve been living with this diagnosis for awhile and will continue to anchor GMA. I love what I do and the people with whom I do it. Along with my faith, family and friends, all of you at ABC News give me the motivation and energy to face this challenge.
Going forward, it’s business as usual at GMA, which means I’ll be right here every day with George, Sam, Josh and Lara. When I miss a day here or there, I’m fortunate that some very talented friends at ABC News will fill-in. When I undergo the transplant later this year, I’ll miss a chunk of time.
When I faced breast cancer, your prayers and good wishes sustained me, gave me such hope and played a major role in my recovery. In facing this new challenge, I ask humbly for more of your prayers and love – as I will keep you in my mine and update you regularly on my condition.
Love and blessings,
Robin
