"Good Morning America" co-host Robin Roberts announces she has myelodysplastic syndrome

TV personality Robin Roberts arrives at the 84th Annual Academy Awards held at the Hollywood and Highland Center on Feb. 26, 2012 in Hollywood, Calif.

/ Ethan Miller/Getty Images

(CBS News) "Good Morning America" co-host Robin Roberts announced today that she has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), more commonly known as preleukemia.

"My doctors tell me I'm going to beat this -- and I know it's true," she wrote in a letter to her colleagues, later posted on the ABC blog.

Pictures: Robin Roberts

Going forward, Roberts - who previously beat breast cancer five years ago - said on Monday's "Good Morning America" that she will begin pre-treatment, which consists of chemotherapy. She warned fans that she would start today and to not to be alarmed if they saw her wearing a bandage tomorrow. Roberts added on Monday's show that she will eventually receive a bone marrow transplant later this summer or fall from her sister.

According to the National Cancer Institute, MDS is a group of diseases where bone marrow does not produce healthy blood cells. The patient's age - typically over 60; - and past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy increases the risk of developing the disease. Other factors include being white or male, being exposed to certain chemicals - including tobacco smoke, pesticides and solvents - or being exposed to heavy metals, such as mercury or lead increase the risk of getting myelodysplastic syndrome.

Symptoms of the disease include feeling tired, shortness of breath, having skin that is paler than usual, easy bruising or bleeding, petechiae - or flat pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding - and fever or frequent infections.

Typical treatments for the disease also include supportive care, which consists of blood transfusion therapy, other types of drug therapy and the use of erythropoietin, known to increase red blood cells and help curtail the effects of anemia.

Roberts said that she has known of her diagnosis for quite some time, and will continue to anchor "Good Morning America" while she is receiving treatment. She first found that she had the disease in April, the day it was announced that "Good Morning America" beat the "Today Show" in ratings for the first time in 16 years. Roberts then had a procedure bone marrow extraction procedure the day before she was to interview President Barack Obama.

"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," she wrote.

Roberts encouraged people to become bone marrow donors to help save the lives of people in similar situations.

"Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women," Roberts said. "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."

17 Photos

Robin Roberts

[discrimnation]

How nice to advertise the pain that Robin has endured but please be honest we with cancer know it returns-- there is no cure just remissions.--- the rest of us guinea pigs are dying slowing or quickly with no hope for a cure we cannot afford. I lost three executive management jobs since my first breast cancer operation and in 2000 when they found I had cancer-- too expensive to keep me on their insurance.-- the only reason I am still alive after a strong recurrence is that My remission was due to my suggestion. -- IT is back now since 2010 -- not a cure --a remission -- there is no cure for cancer or that would be the NEWS -- I lost two houses-- three jobs -- I do not qualify for state assistance-- I worked my whole life and paid for sdi from endometriosis and spinal injuries. Since 1987 I lived on tens units during the day and Vicodin in the evenings. To sum it up-- now my kidneys are failing --I cannot get insurance- I live alone and cannot afford my meds- So GOOD LUCK to the RICH and pampered. I will say a prayer to open your eyes. There are people with no one to help them and as in everything -- MONEY TALKS -- it does not cure any cancer only give a false hope. DO A REAL NEWS INVESTIGATION on where all these BC Runs donations go to -- then talk to people who worked at these research labs ---LOTS of lots Money- VERY little is given to the people who need help-- I could go on but I am sick again. God Bless You Robin -- I think you calling is to take your journey a step further -- not just as a pin-up girl for a cancer cure that does not exist--- remissions can last a year to 20 years -- but the cancer is still there--I am a guinea pig and try to get people to listen -- nothing will with helping research for the next teneration -- I just will not be around but knowing I can help is nice. Good Luck to whoever reads this-- there is so much more to every women I have talked to-- one with stage 4 and working full time to support ther boys -- she did not make it -- not enough money to see the best doctor--which is now my problem --all my savings is gone - two little iras left and most important trying to find a home for my little dog when I am gone. I KNOW THIS IS A LOT OF INFO AND YET NOT ALL -- MY FIRST TUMOR WAS REMOVED AT THE AGE OF 20 AND THEN EVERY TWO TO THREE YEARS ANOTHER BIG TUMOR POPPED UP- More young girls are getting breast cancer and all the hype is on one person who has people to help her -- sure it hurt her-- it hurts all but there are so many that could be made comfortable - and lives longer with real food etc.-- look into this -- there are donationations misappropriated that could be used for people and research. Good Luck

[PIANOHOLIC]

HANG IN THERE ROBIN !!! WE ALL HAVE A CROSS TO CARRY IN THIS LIFE......BUT I AM PROUD OF HOW YOU
HAVE CLIMBED YOUR MOUNTAINS ! REMEMBER THAT HE KNOWS EVERYTHING YOU NEED, BEFORE YOU PRAY FOR IT ! I'LL BE AGREEING WITH YOU IN PRAYER FOR YOUR HEALING !!! FEAR NOT !! HE IS WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY !! YOU ARE A STRONG LADY, AND I KNEW BACK IN NASHVILLE, THAT YOU WOULD
REACH UNBELIEVABLE HEIGHTS, IF YOU HAD NO FEAR !!! REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION IN YOUR JEEP ??
I SAID , "FEAR NOT, GO FOR IT "...........BE BLESSED.....MANY ARE PRAYING FOR YOU !!!
FRANKIE STATON

[ladybaden]

Hi Robin,
I was watching the show on Monday morning and the show was doing a recap of previous shows. There were several pictures of your coworkers and you wearing glittery ace bandages over your picc line site. My daughter has late stage Lyme's Disease and has had a picc line for 9 months. She doesn't like people to see it because they stare at it. I was hoping you could tell me where you purchased it. My daughter, Tricia is very ill and she doesn't live close to me. If you want she has a blog and you can read about her unbelievable journey through the past 2 years. Her blog is; http://trishbaden.blogspot.com/2011/11/lyme-disease-help.html. She also has a twitter account but I don't know her twitter name. Thanks for you time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Ellen

[jerriwall]

Robin, I watch you every morning ever since you have been on the show. I prayed for you during your breast cancer and will continue to pray for you now. You are one of the bravest women that I can imaging. You don't let anything keep you down. You just keep going no matter what. God bless you.

[goodnews1949]

Hi Robbin, Hope this helps a little. I had a cell stem transplant in 2004. I was lucky that I had enough healthy cells left in my body so they were able to harvest enough for me. I have three sisters and none of them matched me or each other. I'm so glad your sister is a match. I must coment on your arm band. I used to cut off tube socks in different colors to match my outfit. I also looked for colorful bandenas for my head. One time I came home with a really pretty green one with green leaves and showed it to my daughter who said, Mom, those are pot leaves! I wore it anyway. I wish you nothing but the best. My advise is to take one day at a time and my tip is if you have a bone marrow biopsy is to wiggle your toes and make a christmas list in your head. Love the work you do. Prayers to you, Berta Desmond

[Mseemann23]

Robin,
I was diagnosed with MDS in 2006. I subsequently underwent an allogenic bone marrow transplant with my older sibling's 10/10 HLA match as the donor in Feb 2010. I am now 53 and have returned to work full time as an orthopedic surgeon in the Denver area. It is a challenge and you may "step on a few mines" along the way but it is doable. When you come out on the other end, it will change your perspective on life, for the better, quite a bit. Good luck and I'll keep you in my prayers

[fingerlakesgal]

Robin,

I donated bone marrow to my sister 4 years ago. As hard as she fought she did loose the battle in March of 2011. She would want me to clear up one comment that is circulating around your recent illness so as to help those that are planning to donate.

It was not as simple as a blood donation. In spite of my fear of doctors and needles, I donated via them drilling into my hips and collecting marrow at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY. The doctor dubbed me "juicy" and I have my most cherished possession, a letter from my sister address Dear Juicy. In spite of all she was going through she always found humor.

My hope is that you will say that a blood donation is one method, but other more invasive methods are also used. Imagine how an employer would feel knowing an employee took time off as I did for an invasive surgery and now they are hearing that it is as simple as a blood donation. Your voice can help to clear this up for those that are facing my type of donation and need time off from work. So you know, I only missed a week following the surgery and due to my job I did have the ability to work from home. Not all are that lucky and we want to ensure the pool of donors is not diminished by a potential lack of support from employers as they have a misconception on what donation can entail.

[slyfox66]

Hi
I just donated bone marrow to my sister in March. She was not supposed to be released until mid July, but came home last Wednesday.
I agree about down-playing the part of the donor. I developed a reaction to the Nuprogen (medicine given to increase the amount of marrow in the donor).
Also, I would like to make sure people know that people are dropped from the registry once they hit their 61st birthday. I had been on the registry for over 15 years, but when they checked for my sister, we were told there was no match. After being tested again, I was told I was a "Perfect" match. Relatives need to insist upon being tested if they are over 60.

[thd2727]

My Father just passed away with MDA in Sept. He was not even offered a stem cell transplant. He took Vidaza shots. Im hope this is not hereditary, does anyone know if it is ? He had no Chemo Therapy only radiation on his prostate gland..he did take Lupron shots for prostate cancer..God Bless Robin Roberts I know she will have the BEST of care and over come this..Ive learned more now about MDA since Robin has it then the 2 1/2 year battle my father had with it.

[tamarathomp]

Robin...I just wanted to let you know that when I heard you had MDS after receiving chemotherapy for the breast cancer, my heart ached for you and I knew what you are going through. My father passed away 3 years ago from MDS. He got this terrible cancer from chemotherapy treatment for a form of cancer called Waldstrom's Disease. This is a disease that affects the blood and the bone marrow as well. So, he was hit with a "double whammy" trying to fight both of these cancers. He lived for seven years with this disease. He had a very great seven years with us. Please know that you are in our prayers. Be strong and know that you are loved.

[Bojax39]

To Robin and all other sufferers of this horrid disease... God bless, good luck and GET WELL.