Robin Roberts Fight against MDS after Breast Cancer, Sister Donates Bone Marrow

Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts during a presentation in New Orleans, Louisiana March 8, 2007 (Photo : Reuters)

The “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts Monday announced she has myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) five years after being treated for breast cancer.

Fortunately, not everything is lost. Robin’s older sister Sally Ann Roberts is match for her bone marrow and willing to donate for her. But before having a marrow transplant later this year, the 51-year-old still has to undergo chemotherapy to prepare for the transplant.

"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," Roberts wrote Monday.

Robin’s sister Sally Ann Roberts, who works for WWL-TV in New Orleans, is truly happy for her match.

"I'm just so very grateful that I did match her because there are many, many people right now who are dying for a match and have no one in their family who are eligible," Sally said. And the Roberts family is now encouraging the public to sign up as donors.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program’s data, more than 10,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with blood-related disorders every year. Even thought the best treatment is a bone marrow transplant for the blood-related disorders, unfortunately, not all the patients are as lucky as Robin Roberts, especially for African-Americans. The chance of finding a match on national registry for African-Americans and other minorities is 66 percent, while the number for Caucasians is 93 percent.

Hopefully Robin and her family’s influence can help the National Marrow Donor Program gets more donors, especially for the minorities in the United States.

And, of course, we want Robin Roberts could win on her health battle again.

"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 adversity of life," Robin Roberts said.