On Thursday, Robin Roberts, co-host on ABCs "Good Morning America," who has recently announced that she will be undergoing bone marrow transplant, is taking her medical leave from the show a day earlier in order to visit her mother on the gulf-coast.
Roberts says that she plans to visit her mother, who is unwell and lives in an area that was recently hit by hurricane Isaac.
In June, Roberts announced to the nation that she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS, which is a rare blood related-condition. The syndrome used to be referred to as preleukemia and is noted to require bone-marrow transplant as part of the treatment. Roberts will be undergoing the procedure this fall.
Robert's sister Sally-Ann Roberts will be donating her bone-marrow to the 51-year-old TV show host. Roberts says that she will be returning to "Good Morning America", but hasn't listed a specific return date.
Roberts told viewers and her co-workers on the Thursday show, "GMAI love you and I'll see you soon," as she took her leave.
ABC announced a list of top celebrities who will be filling in for Roberts; the list includes Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Rob Lowe, Kelly Ripa, Katie Couric and the caste of ABC comedy "Modern Family."
Thursday's episode was the second part of a two-episode farewell the GMA staged for Roberts. On today's episode, the staff and crew appeared on stage with Roberts wishing her well, all expressing confidence that Roberts will triumph over this illness just like she did five years ago with Breast Cancer. Roberts accepted a gift from co-host George Stephanopoulos, who presented her with a bell; tell her that should she need anything all she has to do is ring.
Roberts will undergo the surgery in 10 days and will remain under monitor for some time after that.
Watch Roberts announcement of MDS here.
