She wakes up America with a one-of-a-kind smile. She informs, entertains and most of all, she inspires.
But you may not know that Robin Roberts is also a big Spurs fan. "Good Morning San Antonio" anchor Leslie Mouton recently interviewed Robin Roberts in New York City. She was very excited to talk about our hometown team.
"Who picked the Spurs?" asked Robin. "You did! And we appreciate that! We love our Spurs!" Leslie Mouton said. "I literally took heat for that! Do you get it? As in, The Miami Heat?" Robin said.
Robin is full of laughter, love and life. And for the first time in more than a year, she's also back full time on "Good Morning America."
"That's the rumor on the street! I don't know why I decided to do that! I'm very grateful that I'm doing as well as I am," Robin said.
Robin was diagnosed with MDS a little over a year ago. It is a rare blood and bone marrow disease, and the treatment is invasive and difficult.
She wasn't sure she would be able to return to work, but she has, and she is raring to go.
"I had to get little shots before I could come back to work. Just like a little kid, I had to get immunized all over again, because everything was depleted from the bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy. So I had to get all my shots. But now I'm ready to go, and I can face Times Square," Robin said.
She was lucky to learn that her sister was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant. Her decision to share her journey with the public raised awareness about the need for donors. She inspired dozens of awareness drives and led to tens of thousands of new bone marrow registrations.
But this wasn't Robin's first time to share a private battle with the public. In 2007 she announced on "Good Morning America" that she discovered a lump, and it was breast cancer. It is a journey and a bond that Robin and Leslie share. Robin said Leslie's battle actually inspired her to go public.
"You led the way, you were on the air without your wig on before most women talked publicly about their breast cancer. I get emotional thinking about it, because I know what that's like," Robin said.
Both of her health battles touched off a firestorm of publicity and awareness. But going public also gave Robin a purpose to her fight.
"So, if God forbid, a viewer is diagnosed with breast cancer or MDS, or something should happen to a member in their family, they had an example. I could be that example, just like the example you set for your viewers. I am just very grateful that I am doing as well as I am, and grateful for the prayers and wishes, which are really so vital for my recovery," Robin said.
Signs of support from her GMA family are everywhere! There are "Team Robin" signs hanging on doors of the green room and glued to boom microphones in the studio. It's evidence of the love and pride for a remarkable woman whose difficult journey has inspired us all.
"I think it's very important to find the meaning in everything and to find a way to be of service to others," Robin said.
Robin is currently working on a book titled "Everybody's Got Something." It should be available this spring.
For a list of recent stories Leslie Mouton has done, click here.