Greenbelters To Rally Behind 'GMA' Co-Host Roberts Saturday

Greenbelters who want to show their support for Robin Roberts, "Good Morning America" (GMA) co-host, as she recovers after a recent bone marrow transplant are meeting at Roosevelt Center at 10 a.m. Saturday for a group photograph.

"I think what she's done is very brave," Greenbelt resident and event organizer Linda Ivy said.

Ivy said she watches GMA every morning and saw Roberts going through breast cancer on TV—shaving her head, going through chemotherapy, and bringing focus to breast cancer.

Roberts is doing the same now for MDS, according to Ivy. She's brought a lot of focus to bone marrow transplants, Ivy said.

"I think she's done a lot to show us medically the needs that are out there that people can help with," Ivy said and noted that bone marrow donations are up because of Roberts' actions.

One of Roberts advocacy efforts is a PSA she made calling for people to consider becoming bone marrow donors and sharing how her big sister's donation has given her a chance to survive blood cancer.

Some 44,000 people have joined the national marrow donor program Be The Match registry since Roberts announced her disease, George Stephanopoulos said, examiner.com reports.

A lot of people have submitted photographs and asked people to get together and wish her well, Ivy said, adding she thought "the people in Greenbelt could wish her well."

The event will start near the Mother and Child statue and run about one half hour, ending at 10:30 a.m. 

Around 10 people have indicated they'll participate thus far, but Ivy hopes more will join. She's asking participants who can to bring a sign saying either Greenbelt or #Team Robin. Ivy plans to send the finished photograph to GMA online.

For more information, contact Linda Ivy at lindaivy@aol.com or (301) 675.0585