‘GMA' anchor's cancer confession driving attention to bone marrow needs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Days ago, 'Good Morning America' anchor Robin Roberts tearfully announced that she is suffering from a blood disorder and will be getting a bone marrow transplant in a matter of months.

Now, Roberts' openness about her own health, could help save lives here in the Charlotte area.

As a result of her treatment for breast cancer several years ago, Roberts is now suffering from a blood disorder called, myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS.

Roberts is set to undergo a bone marrow transplant later this year. She said she's lucky because her older sister is virtually a perfect match.

But her announcement is bringing new attention to the need for bone marrow donors, especially in the African-American community.  Out of 9 million people on the national bone marrow registry, only 650,000 are African-American, compared with 6.5 million white donors.

Addie Sanders works with the local office for "Be the Match," a national bone marrow donor program.

"We're getting more hits on our website. We're getting more twitter responses, more tweets going on and our Facebook were getting a lot of updates there as well,” Sanders said.

Sanders said she has also been getting calls from people wanting to take the simple mouth swab that's needed to join the National Bone Marrow Registry.  She's urgently trying to find a match for three African-American children in the Charlotte area, including 4-year-old Shelohmi, who is fighting the blood disorder aplastic anemia.

"She is in need of a transplant so were searching hoping we can have someone for her," Sanders said.

She also hopes Roberts' openness will help thousands more in need.

"She's chosen to share the story and because she's sharing that story, she is in fact saving lives.  She may never know whose life how many lives we may never know, but it's happening because she’s up front and honest about it," Sanders said.

In North Carolina, there are 242 patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases who are hoping for a marrow donor to give them a chance for a cure. They do not have a matching donor in their families.

North Carolina ranks tenth in the nation for patients searching for a match.

To sign up for "Be the Match," the National Bone Marrow Registry in Charlotte on Saturday, June 16.

There is a signup hoping to find a match for Shelohmi and others.

It will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church located at 1235 Badger Court.

Donors must be between 18 and 60 years old and meet certain health guidelines to join the registry.

WSOC