Earlier, “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts tweeted that she planned to announce personal news.
My dear tweeps-will share something important w/ you this AM on @GMA, something I have been dealing w/ for the last couple months. Blessings
— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) June 11, 2012
Moments ago, she told her audience she has M.D.S., or myelodysplastic syndrome.
Being announced on @GMA now: @RobinRoberts has been diagnosed with M.D.S., a blood and bone-marrow disorder.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 11, 2012
I beat breast cancer. … Sometimes treatment for cancer can lead to other serious medical issues. That’s what I’m facing right now. MDS – myelodysplastic syndrome. It is a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow.
The 51-year-old begins treatment today and expects to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Her sister will be her donor.
The Twitterverse erupted in well wishes and supportive tweets.
All our love and prayers with @RobinRoberts. She’ll beat this with all the grace & grit she’s had her whole life.
— GeorgeStephanopoulos (@GStephanopoulos) June 11, 2012
Thoughts and prayers go out to @RobinRoberts.
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 11, 2012
https://twitter.com/AlisonL/status/212164617550565376
Thoughts and prayers to @RobinRoberts as she continues her fight against cancer, with help from her sister.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 11, 2012
Fighting tears as @RobinRoberts announces her illness and upcoming bone marrow transplant… what a strong lady. Love her. #TeamRobin
— Porsha Grant (@ProducerPG6) June 11, 2012
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Prayers for our dear friend @RobinRoberts who just revealed she has MDS and will need a bone marrow transplant. @wxyzdetroit sends our love!
— Erin Nicole (@ENicole19) June 11, 2012
Robin Roberts says she has MDS disease, will get bone marrow transplant and beat it. Doctors optimistic. All the best, Robin.
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) June 11, 2012
To be clear: @RobinRoberts will win this fight. And thanks, to all of you, for standing by her now. Because that's what family does.
— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliott32) June 11, 2012
Take a moment to pray for Good Morning America host Robin Roberts. http://t.co/f4pFoBTt Pray she has many more good mornings!
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) June 11, 2012
I am in total awe of @robinroberts strength and determination with her continued battle with cancer. She and her family are in my thoughts.
— Ty Pennington (@typennington) June 11, 2012
Roberts shares her thoughts about the diagnosis in an open letter.
What @RobinRoberts wants everyone to know right now about her diagnosis: http://t.co/uwWZSkNz
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 11, 2012
My doctors tell me I’m going to beat this — and I know it’s true.
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.
Today, I will start what is known as pre-treatment -– chemotherapy in advance of a bone marrow transplant later this year. Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women. I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure. As you know from my recent interview with Mark Zuckerberg, organ donation is vitally important. Many people don’t realize they can be bone marrow donors. I encourage everyone to sign up on a donor registry like bethematch.org.
I received my MDS diagnosis on the very day that Good Morning America finally beat the Today Show for the first time in 16 years. Talk about your highs and lows!
Roberts expects to work during her illness, but will “miss a chunk of time” when she undergoes the transplant later this year.
The Twitchy team wishes Roberts all the best as she overcomes this hurdle.
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