In 2007, the world wept along when they learned of Robin Roberts’ cancer battle. They were devastated when the co-anchor of Good Morning America announced she had been diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer, when she subsequently was diagnosed with MDS, and when she underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

Years later, Robin has made a victorious return to Good Morning America. While the world marvels at her grace and indomitable spirit of optimism, African-American women proudly celebrate her sisterhood.

For many African-American women, when Roberts was diagnosed, breast cancer finally had a face….and it was as devastating as if a friend or family member had been diagnosed.

Two years earlier, in June 2005, after a 5-year stint as an ESPN sportscaster, Robin was promoted to co-anchor of GMA. Like a bright smile rapidly spreading across the face of the nation, Robin, along with co-host George Stephanopoulos, became a friendly, familiar, trusted face on the popular morning show.

Never was Robin’s strength more apparent than when she vowed to beat it and return to her GMA chair. Quietly turning tragedy into inspiration, Robin allowed the world to watch as she bravely underwent surgery, before going on to complete chemotherapy, followed by radiation treatments.

Robin’s gift to women all over the world was her teaching – by example – the importance of early diagnosis in improving your chances of surviving breast cancer.

Read more about Robin Roberts' bravery and cancer diagnoses at BlackDoctor.Org.

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(Photo: AP Photo/ABC, Heidi Gutman)