Robin Roberts held back tears Monday morning on “Good Morning America” as she announced she’s been diagnosed with a rare blood and bone-marrow disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome.
“As you many of you know, five years ago, I beat breast cancer… sometimes treatments for cancer can lead to other serious medical issues, and that’s what I’m facing right now. It’s something that is called MDS, myelodysplastic syndrome,” explained Roberts.
Roberts went on to describe MDS as a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow and said she will start her pre-treatment later today. She will eventually have a bone marrow transplant later this summer or in the fall. “You have heard me say that I am abundantly blessed… and the reason I say I am blessed, my big sister is virtually a perfect match for me… and she is going to be my donor,” announced Roberts.
Roberts said with confidence that this is just another bump in the road. “I am going to be beat this, and my doctors say it, and my faith says it too,” said Roberts.
The entire “GMA” team was by Roberts’ side during her announcement. Her co-anchor George Stephanopoulos told Roberts that even though she had known about the diagnosis for awhile, no one could ever tell.
“You found out the day you’re going to interview President Obama, a huge interview. You get one of the worst diagnoses that day and you go on and you do it perfectly. You do it everyday,” said Stephanopoulos. “And as I told you when you first told me, I am in awe of the way you’ve handled this.”
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