Early last fall, I was elated to be among the attendees at the M.D. Anderson Moon Shots Program Announcement. This announcement still brings a sense of excitement as I recall how they spoke of the cancers that they were focusing on, one in particular stands out - myelodysplastic syndrome.
Myelodysplastic syndrome occurs when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow are not making healthy blood cells, they are damaged an ineffective to maintain good health. As a result, it may lower the red blood cells, the white blood cells or the platelets. This form of cancer was once referred to as acute myeloid leukemia. However, due to it's distinct effect, it now stands on its own as myeloidysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Although I did not speak personally with Holly Easley, I saw her at the event. Holly is a myeloidysplactic syndrome survivor. She is vibrant with a great style of her own and as a survivor, she wore it well.
For a familiar face, we feature Good Morning America's Robin Roberts who shares her journey with MDS. Battling cancer for the second time was no easy feat. In fact, many were wondering if she would be able to make it through. Thankfully, Ms. Roberts was willing to share her journey with us and in doing so, she not only inspired others, it brought attention to the disease. According to ABC News, bone marrow donors have increased. Be sure to listen to her incredible journey.
While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.
Many times we hear of the calls for donors as someone on the other end is in need of a life saving transplant. As we sit and wish that there is something that we could do, many of us are a bit leery of being the match. We have heard of the stories of how excruciatingly painful the process can be - even hearing that it is worse for the donor than the recipient. Needless to say, we hesitate and then eventually the thought leaves us until we hear of another heart warming, tear jerking, joyful story.
There is an organization called Be The Match that helps to connect patients with their donor match for a life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant.
We have found one of those heart warming, tear jerking, joyful journeys and just had to share it with you, it all came together through Be The Match. Erika Turner sits with Robin Roberts and shares her journey with the Good Morning America viewers as she prepares to meet her perfect match Christopher Magoon for the first time. While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.
And the journey continues....... This morning, Robin Roberts of Good Morning America shared that she is facing a new health challenge.
In her words:
As many of you know, 5 years ago I beat breast cancer. I’ve always been a fighter, and with all of your prayers and support, a winner.
Sometimes the treatment for cancer can cause other serious medical problems. Today, I want to let you know that I’ve been diagnosed with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. It's a disease of the blood and bone marrow and was once known as preleukemia.
My doctors tell me I'm going to beat this -- and I know it's true.
If you Google MDS, you may find some scary stuff, including statistics that my doctors insist don’t apply to me. They say I’m younger and fitter than most people who confront this disease and will be cured.
Today, I will start what is known as pre-treatment -– chemotherapy in advance of a bone marrow transplant later this year. 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. 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. I encourage everyone to sign up on a donor registry like bethematch.org.
I received my MDS diagnosis on the very day that Good Morning America finally beat the Today Show for the first time in 16 years. Talk about your highs and lows! Then a few weeks ago, during a rather unpleasant procedure to extract bone marrow for testing, I received word that I would interview President Obama the next day. 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.
Bottom line: I’ve been living with this diagnosis for awhile and will continue to anchor GMA. I love what I do and the people with whom I do it. Along with my faith, family and friends, all of you at ABC News give me the motivation and energy to face this challenge.
Going forward, it’s business as usual at GMA, which means I’ll be right here every day with George, Sam, Josh and Lara. When I miss a day here or there, I’m fortunate that some very talented friends at ABC News will fill-in. When I undergo the transplant later this year, I’ll miss a chunk of time.
When I faced breast cancer, your prayers and good wishes sustained me, gave me such hope and played a major role in my recovery. In facing this new challenge, I ask humbly for more of your prayers and love – as I will keep you in my mine and update you regularly on my condition.
Love and blessings,
Robin
Many of us followed Robin's journey through breast cancer and watched her face it head on. We stood by the sidelines cheering her on and now it's time to get the pom poms and prayers out. While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme cancer changes our lives forever.
Early last fall, I was elated to be among the attendees at the M.D. Anderson Moon Shots Program Announcement. This announcement still brings a sense of excitement as I recall how they spoke of the cancers that they were focusing on, one in particular stands out - myelodysplastic syndrome. 
