Robin Roberts will need all the prayers and support she can get from fans and loved ones following her recent heartbreaking announcement.
Roberts revealed that her partner of over a decade, Amber Laign, has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has started her chemotherapy process.
The “Good Morning America” anchor took to her social media to break the news and explain that she would occasionally take time off the show to care for her lover.
Robin Roberts Talks Partner Amber Laign’s Cancer Diagnosis
On Thursday, February 25, Roberts updated her personal Twitter page with a video where she got candid about her Laign’s current health condition.
The 61-year-old captioned the post, “Good morning…a very personal message on this #ThankfulThursday [prayer hands emoji].” She explained that she was breaking the news with Laign’s consent, saying:
“My sweet Amber wanted me to tell you something that she’s been facing. At the end of last year, Amber was diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Things are not all bleak, as Roberts noted that the situation was progressing positively. She continued, “She had surgery last month and this morning will begin chemotherapy. Thankfully, the prognosis is good.”
The TV personality expressed her gratitude to her and her partner’s close friends and family, who respected their privacy by keeping the news a secret until Laign was open to sharing it with the public.
Roberts looked back on almost two decades of romance with her lover and noted that she was also there for her during her tough times. In her words:
“She and I have been together almost 17 years and have helped each other through our challenges like my journey with cancer. It’s my turn now to be there for her like she was for me
Good morning…a very personal message on this #ThankfulThursday 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/tnUI6pGGSY
— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) February 24, 2022
And that means I’ll be away from GMA from time to time like this morning as she starts chemo,” she explained.”
The veteran broadcaster noted that many people are battling cancer and other challenges, and she would be keeping them in her prayers. In turn, she hopes that people will keep her and Laign in theirs.
Roberts also told PEOPLE about surviving a breast cancer diagnosis in 2007. She faced another threatening situation five years later when diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome.
The condition is an uncommon blood and bone marrow disease which required the news anchor to receive a bone marrow transplant.
Roberts opened up about the situation, saying, “My doctor told me I had a year or two to live if I didn’t have a successful transplant.” Fortunately for the star, her sister, Sally-May, was a match for the transplant and became her donor.
The “Everybody’s Got Something” author praised Laign for loving her through her debacle and being her gracious caregiver. Now, she is there for her partner as she embarks on what we hope is a full recovery.
The “Good Morning America” Anchor Bonded With Her Partner During The Pandemic
Roberts and Laign have weathered many storms together and remained unbroken. Such was the case when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
Last April, the broadcaster explained to PEOPLE how she used the quarantine as a means of boosting her bond with her partner. She gushed,
“We’re going on 16 years now. We spent more time together this past year than in the previous 15 years combined. We’ve never been stronger.”
The two became an item when their mutual friends set them up on a blind date in 2005. The lovebirds did not reveal their relationship to the public until 2013.
That same year, Roberts came out via a Facebook post. She told the magazine that she learned the value of patience while living in close quarters with Laign.
The ABC personality noted that when moving from New York to Connecticut at the pandemic, she made sure to go with patience. She explained:
“That’s what I really learned this past year — being patient, understanding what is really important, and that I don’t have to be on the hamster wheel all the time. I don’t have to get on a plane.”
Roberts noted that she is grateful that the pandemic taught her how to live in the moment. These qualities would undoubtedly come in handy as she cares for Laign through her chemotherapy process.
