Robin Roberts Celebrates Life On ‘AARP Magazine’
Robin Roberts may have been born on Nov. 23, but she doesn’t consider that her birthday anymore.
After battling both breast cancer and a rare blood disease, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), the 54-year-old Good Morning America co-host has much to celebrate as she’s overcome a great deal of adversity along the way.
“I think of September 20, the date of my transplant, as my birthday more than my real birthday,” Roberts, who successfully underwent a bone marrow transplant in September 2012, told AARP Magazine.
However, just four months after the procedure, Roberts was itching to get back in the studio and starting working again.
“Just the emotion of seeing people who I know didn’t think they were going to see me again,” she recalled. “Some people were, like, ‘Why were you in such a hurry to get back?’ It wasn’t about being back on TV. It was about being back in life.”
“I could’ve stayed longer in an isolated room, but I didn’t want life to continue to pass me by,” Roberts added. “I wanted to participate in life. ‘Put me in, Coach. I’m ready to play.’”
In the latest April/May issue of AARP, Roberts reminisced over a wide-ranging interview that covered everything from her illness, career and love life, including her relationship with licensed massage therapist Amber Laign, who Roberts has been dating for the last decade.
The AARP Magazine hits homes today (April 1).
For the complete interview with behind-the-scenes video and images, check out the AARP website at: www.aarp.org/magazine/.
(Photo Credit: AARP Magazine)
