Silke Jasso
Robin Roberts is well-acquainted with overcoming challenges. In 2007, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, followed by a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, an uncommon blood condition affecting the bone marrow, five years later. Fortunately, her sister Sally-Ann was a nearly ideal match and she underwent a successful bone marrow transplant on September 20, 2012.
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Upon her return to “Good Morning America” on February 20, 2013, Roberts was motivated to turn her struggles into a source of inspiration. Through the ABC News special, Robin’s Journey, she shared the details of her life-threatening illness.
In a special promo for their February 21 celebration, the ABC morning show reflects on Roberts’ successful recovery journey after being diagnosed with MDS and taking a leave of absence from the GMA anchor desk for nearly six months.
“The images of my return always take me back, but more than that, they remind me of how far I’ve come,” Roberts told PEOPLE of the promo. “Seeing the videos and images renews my faith in scientific advancement, renews my faith in selfless actions for others, renews my faith in God certainly, and energizes me that the best is still yet to come.”
Robin Roberts on Instagram
Roben, who celebrated 20 years on GMA in April, says she still remembers her emotional return to GMA.
“As I said back in 2013, I waited 174 days to be healthy enough to say, ‘Good morning, America,'” she stated. “And so I remember being overcome with emotion about how fortunate and truly blessed I’d been to be able to say those three words.”
She went on to add, “I also committed to doing something – everything possible – to give other people facing similar circumstances hope.” To commemorate the occasion, Roberts intends to spend time with her long-term partner, Amber Laign.
“If my own health challenges have taught me anything, they’ve taught me to live in the now with those you love,” she says. “I won’t have a big celebration, but I do see a quiet evening with Sweet Amber, who has had her own cancer battle recently, reflecting on our blessings and our health.”
Roberts stated that in sharing the ups and downs of her personal journey, she hopes that she can inspire others.
“Our Good Morning America viewers and my colleagues have been with me through it all, especially my health challenges,” she stated. “They’ve seen me bald, they’ve seen me at barely 100 lbs., but ten years after returning to GMA, today they see me thriving.”
“I just jumped 630 feet off the Auckland Sky Tower… live more, fear less! For me, this anniversary is about faith and hope. I hope to be a symbol that this too shall pass, and you can thrive, not just survive,” she continued.
