When ROBIN ROBERTS Faced a Serious Health Scare—For a Second Time—The Prognosis Was Di Cult. Leaning on Family and Friends

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When ROBIN ROBERTS faced a serious health scare—for a second time—the prognosis was di cult. Leaning on family and friends for strength, support and a lifesaving procedure, she vowed to beat it. And she has. BY LESLIE PEPPER

n anniversary is special But It Takes a when Robin Roberts blew out Family the single candle on a red vel As she wrote in vet cake in late summer her GMA blog Athe celebration was particularly joyful “Unlike my ﬁ rst The year before the Good Morning birthday—which of course Nowadays, Sally-Ann America anchor had been diagnosed I don’t remember—this and Robin with myelodysplastic syndrome MDS time around I know I will share more a rare blood disease she developed as never forget all the people than a great a result of chemotherapy treatments who have reached out to me smile. for breast cancer in MDS is a over the past year Your words condition in which bone marrow is of encouragement smiling faces and not populated with suﬃ cient healthy prayers have carried me through the blood cells Shortly after her diagnosis toughest times I know that I would Roberts left her anchor chair to begin not have made it to this milestone treatment which included a bone mar without you ”

row transplant Roberts now got more than MAIN PHOTO BY MELANIE DUNEA/CPI SYNDICATION; SECONDARY PHOTO BY BIRDIE THOMPSON/ADMEDIA/RETNA The cake marked the oneyear anni just smiles from those around her It versary of that lifesaving procedure was her older sister SallyAnn who donated bone marrow for the transplant Roberts was extremely lucky Bone mar row donors are scarce particularly for Fa milyAfricanAmerican women

FALL photo by Melanie Dunea/Cpi SynDiCation -

, “I was If you feel bad If feel you Parade —even awkward. if feels it As But it’s not always not But it’s easy get to the When you need it, reach out wealth. the Spread Chabner Thompson recommends Co. (“Best Friends for Life”), which Friends Life”), (“Best Co. for designs patients products help to recover from breast and prostate cancer surgeries, among other procedures. right support. If the you’re family care is difficult it taker, or help tofor ask accept the attention being focused on you. A few lessons from Roberts: of illness,”of adds Elizabeth Chabner Thompson, founder MD, BFFL of for help Sally-Ann Roberts told really surprised difficult at how it was be her to the in Robinfor one need.” was used being to the caretaker in her family. “I’m always the mother hen and I always want take to charge,” has she said. But the Roberts family relished the opportunity give to something back. asking specifically for things you need. “If [others], to up it leave you you’ll have five lasagnas no and milk in the refrigerator.” about putting the burden person, one on ask several One friend help. to people can drive appointments, to you another can your up pick medication, a cousin can just and sit watch television with you toowhen tired you’re anything do to else. - - - - Good executive producer executive producer . Good Morning America How to Cope Better When Someone You “There is pretty solid evidence that Roberts also received plenty sup of “We have so many who love people companionship … improve[s] survival companionship … improve[s] rates patients for with many types issues,” saysissues,” William author PhD, Penzer, of Love Has Cancer Build Your Team Build Your When you’ve been given a life-threatening diagnosis, support from friends and fam ily is important. dealing “People with serious illnesses are better man to able age the emotional impact when receiving little kindnesses from family and friends, and peers who have dealt with similar family. She announced her illness on- air, colleagues and by her side a box of theKleenex to couch. fel Her Velcroed anchorslow only not rallied around her when revealedshe her diagnosis also but supported her when was she off the air. When Roberts absence, of took a leave ABC News said there would be no ongoing replacement. Instead, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric and Kelly Ripa offeredto tag-team. Robin that so much everyone is willing said and come to join a bit,” us for AmericaMorning Cibrowski.Tom port from her

During the procedure, During the procedure, Although may you Afterward, you’ll go to Afterward, go to you’ll The incisions are so small,The incisions are You’ll be under anesthe- You’ll 3 3 3 3 3 Bone Marrow Donation The Basics of The Basics few days. the next morning. the next morning. or bruising soreness have back, in the hip and lower their to return most donors schedule within a regular the recovery room to be be to room the recovery Most donors monitored. go home the same day or takes an hour or two. takes sia and won’t be aware of sia and won’t which usually the procedure, people could benefit from a benefit from people could lifesaving bone potentially If you’re transplant. marrow thinking about donating, expect. what to here’s Each year nearly 20,000 nearly 20,000 Each year you won’t need stitches. need stitches. won’t you doctors use a special needle doctors the liquid mar- withdraw to both sides of the from row back of the pelvic bone. called bone marrow harvest, called bone marrow 2014 FALL FALL 12 CALL There’s also a role for email friends, a nearby whether they’re former work colleagues escape or people you know primarily through The June Hawk-Franklin Facebook. They may be the perfect ear Healing Inside Garden of Meditation and for times when you need to talk (or and Out Healing is part of the thera- type) things through. The Cancer Resource Centre, peutic environment of the spread the word. Anyone diagnosed 926 Ridge Road, Munster, Cancer Resource Centre in with a serious illness will do a lot of is a support program of the Munster. A tranquil retreat, research on the topic. Don’t hesitate to Community Cancer Research the outdoor space has been share your findings with your family Foundation. Call 219-836- designed to help cancer and friends. They may dig even deeper. 3349 for information. patients and their loved ones When Roberts told her good friends manage stress, relax and Sawyer and GMA medical correspondent regain control of their health Richard Besser, MD, about her diagnosis, and their lives. The meditation and healing garden pro- the trio began calling specialists. “We surround yourself with people motes the healing of mind, were like a little tiger team, the three with whom you can be genuine. body and spirit by offering a of us,” Besser told Parade. “People won- When you’re unhappy, disappointed, contemplation area among dered, why is Diane in Rich’s office with angry or confused about your disease, shady oaks and graceful birch the door closed?” Besser and Roberts you should be free to express your feel- trees. Dual waterfalls empty interviewed doctors together; he checked ings. “Don’t be afraid to let people know into a serene pond. A brick out the medical angle while she sought that you’re tired or anxious or in pain,” path winds past the white an emotional comfort level. Chabner Thompson says. “If you’re pine, hemlock, willow, fra- avoid emotional vampires. Even grumpy, they won’t blame you, they’ll grant hydrangeas and medic- well-intentioned friends may head blame the illness.” inal plants. Cancer patients down the wrong path while trying to For Roberts, making it through her can tap into all their senses be supportive. It grates when someone ordeal has left her with nothing but grat- and experience the healing qualities of nature. Inside the compares his or her medical situation itude toward her siblings, her friends, centre you’ll find a variety of to yours. It’s up to you to step in and her medical team and her fans. educational programs, sup- say, “I know diabetes has been difficult Last year, a fan tweeted this question port services and alternative for you, but today I’d really appreciate to Robin: “What comforted you most?” therapies, all offered free of it if we could focus on me.” If that’s not Robin tweeted back, “Faith, family charge to patients with can- possible, it’s OK to step away. and friends.” ■ cer and their loved ones.

3Branch out Every con- other person question her Friends in need versation doesn’t have to center own choices. on illness. Ask about your friend’s Make an offer she What do you say to a friend who’s seriously ill? How can you make a 3 golf game or whether she saw can’t refuse Instead of ask- relative’s recovery easier? Here are seven tips for bringing comfort— the latest episode of Downton ing how you can help, tell her and even joy—to the people you love. Abbey. People going through what you’ll do. “I’ll take Maddy 3PreP for the worst implies you’re dismissing your treatment need to take a break to dance class today” or “I’m She may look very different, friend’s fears, acknowledge the from it every once in a while. dropping off a frozen casserole but don’t express shock or go situation. “I know this must be 3resist the urge to tonight.” Don’t give her the on about her appearance. Give hard for you.” share Sure, your mother opportunity to say no. her a hug and say, “It’s great 3stay flexiBle If your or step-cousin Lulu may have 3Just do it! Don’t let the to see you.” friend has to cancel a visit, don’t had cancer. But everyone’s idea of perfection stop you. 3Be Positive But make her feel guilty. Expect experience is different, and Whatever you do—whether Prudent Instead of say- the unexpected when a friend even the most well-intentioned emailing a kitten video or making, “You’ll be just fine,” which is going through treatment. anecdotes can make the ing dinner—will be appreciated.

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