Five years after beating breast cancer, Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts announced to a national audience today that she has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) a rare blood disorder that will require chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant.
Roberts, holding back tears, told viewers that her older sister is “a virtually perfect match” and will serve as her donor.
ABC has made public a letter Roberts wrote to GMA staffers, in which she says she learned of the disease “a few weeks ago, during a rather unpleasant procedure to extract bone marrow for testing.
“I [then] 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.”
The “bottom line,” according to Roberts?
“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… I am going to beat this.”