Robin Roberts: Determined To Beat Rare Bone Marrow Disorder

Yesterday (June 11, 2012), Robin Roberts announced that she was suffering with a rare blood and bone marrow disorder. The Good Morning America anchor, aged 51, has developed MDA, or myelodysplastic syndrome as a result of the treatment that she received for breast cancer a few years ago. She will now be treated with chemotherapy, before receiving a bone marrow transplant.

Roberts' sister has agreed to donate bone marrow for the procedure, as she is a match for her sister. Doctors are confident that Robin will be able to fight the rare disease. She received the diagnosis back in April, on the same day that she learned Good Morning America had beaten the Today show in the ratings. This was the first time the show had overtaken its TV rival in 16 years. This proved not to be the only time that her career fortune had been marred by her medical problems, either. Robin found out that she had landed the important interview with Barack Obama, in which he would publicly endorse gay marriage, the very same day that she underwent a procedure to test her bone marrow.

Luckily, Roberts is able to laugh about her mixed fortunes and said "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."