Call it the power of the press. The national bone marrow donation registry Be the Match has seen a doubling in new registrants since ABC News “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts said she will need a transplant.
Roberts is being treated for MDS, a blood and bone marrow disease. The Associated Press reported she will receive a bone marrow transplant from her sister this fall.
Jeffrey Chell, CEO of Be The Match, said some 15,000 people had registered since Roberts announced her diagnosis two weeks ago. That’s 11,200 more than they typically receive in a two-week period
This week, Roberts helped supervise a bone marrow registry drive at ABC News headquarters in Manhattan. Participants included George Stephanopoulos, Lara Spencer and ABC News President Ben Sherwood.
For information on Be the Match: www.marrow.org.