“Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts celebrated the 10th anniversary of her return to the show after undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Roberts had been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a condition where blood cells don’t form or work properly. She underwent treatment and received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from her sister. Roberts decided to share her health journey with viewers and has since used her platform to raise awareness about blood stem cell transplants and the importance of the Be The Match registry, the world’s largest bone marrow donor registry. To mark the anniversary, the show partnered with Be The Match to host bone marrow registry drives on college campuses, particularly aiming to recruit donors under the age of 40.
The need for bone marrow donors is urgent as over 12,000 people are diagnosed annually with conditions that require a transplant from an unrelated donor. However, regional and national recruitment efforts have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 70% of patients on bone marrow registry lists do not have a family match and rely on anonymous donors. The chance of finding a matched donor on the registry varies depending on the patient’s ethnic background. Joining the Be The Match registry involves a simple cheek swab, and if a match is found, donating bone marrow is a one-day procedure. Roberts’ advocacy for donor awareness has positively impacted organizations and individuals, leading to more awareness and donations. She was recognized by Be The Match for her decade-long effort in raising awareness and increasing registry numbers.
