Robin Roberts is scheduled to have a bone marrow transplant today, and she’ll enter the procedure enveloped by the support of fans, friends and co-workers.
The “Good Morning America” host, who revealed that she has a rare blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in June, has been in the hospital for 11 days, CNN reported, and has been receiving chemotherapy treatment for eight.
On Tuesday, Roberts posted that the daily treatment in preparation for her transplant had begun to take its toll on her physically.
“My body is so weak, but not my mind,” Roberts told her viewers. “YOU give me the courage to keep going.”
And on the morning of her “new birthday,” as some patients who receive transplants call that life-altering day, “GMA” aired a video message from Roberts in which she thanked those who’ve supported her throughout her health battle.
“This journey is as much about the mind as it is the body,” Roberts said. “Your thoughts are so powerful. You’ve got to change the way you think in order to change the way you feel. And let me just say this lastly: I feel the love and I thank you for it. Thank you.”
Roberts’ departure came just as “Good Morning America” was experiencing an upsurge in ratings. It recently won its third week in a row over its close competitor, NBC’s “Today.”