Since “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts disclosed this week that she is battling myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood disorder, the number of people signing up as potential bone marrow donors on Be the Match has soared more than 1,800%.
The Minneapolis-based Be the Match Registry, a nonprofit operated by the National Marrow Donor Program, told HLN Tuesday that the initiative usually sees about 200-300 people register daily online. On Monday, after Roberts’ tearful disclosure, more than 3,650 people signed up in a matter of hours.
Read more: Robin Roberts found a match, others won't be so lucky
In a letter published on the ABC blog, Roberts, who beat breast cancer five years ago, encouraged readers to sign up with a donor registry "like bethematch.org."
"My doctors tell me I'm going to beat this -- and I know it's true," Roberts said Monday. By bringing attention to the disorder she has raised the possibility that others will beat it too.
Our partners:
Join the conversation...