Robin Roberts, ‘Good Morning America’ anchor, reveals she will undergo chemotherapy along with a bone marrow transplant after being diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).
MDS is a blood and bone marrow disease once known as pre-leukemia affecting only about 18,000 individuals each year.
‘It is something that is called MDS… it is a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow,’ an emotional Roberts said on the ABC show this morning. ‘I’m going to beat this. My doctors say it and my faith says it.’
The 51-year-old, who successfully battled breast cancer in 2007, also revealed that her sister is a perfect match and will be her donor.
“I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure,” she says.
The television anchor disclosed she will undertake chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant this year as a ‘pretreatment’ for the rare disease, which she has known about for several weeks.
“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.”
Though Roberts must take some time off for the procedure, the Mississippi native is adamant about not missing much on-air time.
“It’s about focusing on the fight and not the fright,” Roberts said.
“I am just in awe of the way you’ve handled this, such professionalism, showing such amazing respect for our whole family, but especially for everyone who watches. every single day,’ her co-host George Stephanopoulos chimed in. ‘We want you to know we love you, and we know you’re going to beat this, and we believe in you, and you’re going to hit this with all the courage and grace you show in your whole life.”
“When I faced breast cancer, your prayers and good wishes sustained me, gave me such hope and played a major role in my recovery,” Roberts said. “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.”
Speedy recovery Robin!
