Robin Roberts to Undergo Bone Marrow Transplant: Good Morning America Co-Host Opens Up
Robin Roberts is suffering from Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a malignant disorder of the bone marrow once known as "preleukemia."
The "Good Morning America" co-host announced her struggle today on the TV show and said she will have a bone marrow transplant later this year with her sister as her donor. (Watch Video Below)
She will start receiving chemotherapy soon.
"My doctors tell me I'm going to beat this -- and I know it's true," Roberts wrote on GMA's website today.
"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," she added.
The health scare is not the first for the famous 51-year-old TV host. Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago and she beat the disease.
"When I faced breast cancer, your prayers and good wishes sustained me, gave me such hope and played a major role in my recovery," Roberts wrote.
"In facing this new challenge, I ask humbly for more of your prayers and love – as I will keep you in mine and update you regularly on my condition," she said.
Normally, the bone marrow (tissue inside the bones) makes blood stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells over time such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
When there is a Myelodysplastic syndrome the immature blood cells don't develop and die in the bone marrow leaving less room for healthy mature cells.
With fewer mature blood cells, infection, anemia or easy bleeding may occur.
Watch Robin Robert's Announcement on LIVE TV Below:
