On September 20, 2012, “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts received a life-saving bone marrow donation from her sister, Sally-Ann Roberts, who was a perfect match.
Sally-Ann Roberts will be by her younger sister’s side as Robin Roberts marries her longtime love, Amber Laign, just over a decade later.
“When Robin and Amber exchange their vows, I’ll just be saying… ‘Thank you, Lord, thank you Lord for what you’ve done for these two,'” she says. Sally-Ann Roberts revealed to “GMA.” “Because both of them have faced medical challenges and have been strong for one another, and I just see this as icing on the cake.”
Only months before the life-saving bone marrow transplant, Robin Roberts revealed to “GMA” viewers that she had been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of cancer in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature into healthy blood cells and overcrowd the bone marrow, according to the National Cancer Institute.
A bone marrow transplant is one of the treatments for the illness. Sally-Ann Roberts’ stem cells proved to be the right match for her younger sister after many tests.
Sally-Ann Roberts stayed by her sister’s side during her months-long rehabilitation after the transplant, and she observed the loving care that Laign also gave to her sister.
“I’ve seen Amber’s devotion to Robin. I’ve seen Robin’s feelings for Amber. “They love unconditionally,” she stated. “It’s a rare thing to find a truly lasting love.”
In addition to Robin Roberts’ fight with myelodysplastic syndrome, she and Laign have both battled breast cancer, with Robin’s battle occurring early in their relationship and Amber’s battle occurring more recently. The 18-year pair has also supported one another through personal losses, such as the deaths of Roberts’ parents and Laign’s father.
Sally-Ann Roberts, one of Robin’s three siblings, believes their relationship’s ups and downs have laid the groundwork for an extraordinarily successful marriage.
“They have weathered life’s storms together.” They’ve had some lovely sunny days together. “However, I believe that a relationship is truly tested when the rug appears to be pulled out from under you, and yet, with love by your side, you can find a way to stand,” she explained. “They’ve been through good and bad times together, and I am confident that they will have a wonderful future.”
Laign is already a treasured member of the family, according to Sally-Ann Roberts, and she bears a “spirit of adventure, wonder, and always love and care.”
Sally-Ann Roberts said she feels “so blessed” to be able to witness her sister and Laign make a “lifelong commitment” to each other as she anticipates their forthcoming wedding.
“Robin and Amber, you found each other,” she told them. “Hold on to each other, cherish your love, and always remember that the best is yet to come.”
