Robin Roberts will return as co-anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America" on Feb 20, five months to the day after she underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat the rare blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS.
"What a difference a year makes," Roberts, also a breast cancer survivor, told
ABC News. "I cannot wait to return to my 'GMA' family. It's going to be an incredible morning in Times Square. The overwhelming thoughts and prayers of the viewers have played a major part in getting me here today. I cannot thank everyone enough."
Roberts' co-anchors announced her return date on "GMA" on Wednesday and said she had received the all-clear from her doctors. She also confirmed the news herself on Twitter Thursday.
Roberts' doctors have been carefully tracking the 52-year-old's recovery and monitoring her weakened immune system since the September transplant, and Roberts celebrated her 100-day benchmark in late December when tests showed no abnormalities.
Roberts first announced her diagnosis on "GMA" in July and has been on medical leave since Aug. 30.
"I'm excited but there's a range of emotion," Roberts told "GMA" in January, when speculation about her return swirled. "I haven't been live on television since the end of August. My heart is beating so fast right now but, you know what, it means I'm alive, I'm alive and I'm so grateful to be excited as I am and I can't wait to be back."
Roberts has been doing a series of dry runs in the studio to prepare for her return to live television.
"My skin is very sensitive and so we have to see how it reacts to the studio lights," she told "GMA" in January. "My vision is still a little blurry from the treatment. All of this is getting better day-by-day."
In the weeks leading up to Roberts' return, "GMA" has been featuring stories of resilient men and women battling MDS, and her inspirational story will be highlighted during a special edition of "20/20" airing Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. EST.
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