Exactly one year ago, Robin Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant…and became an inspiration to millions of people.

“I learned when I was first diagnosed with MDS that many in the transplant community consider the anniversary of their bone marrow transplant to be their new birthday,” Robin said.

Robin, 52, underwent the transplant on Sept. 20, 2012, when she was injected with a syringe carrying cells donated by her sister Sally-Ann, according to Dr. Gail Roboz, an oncologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Roberts revealed in June that she had been diagnosed with myelodyplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow disorder triggered by treatment for breast cancer five years ago.

“Well, I’m ecstatic to share with you all that I turn one year old today!” Robin said. “It’s been exactly one year to the day since my blessed big sister, Sally-Ann, gave me the life-saving gift of a bone marrow transplant. Unlike my first first birthday — which of course I don’t remember — this time around I know I will never forget all the people who have reached out to me over the past year. I know that I would not have made it to this milestone without you.”

Learn more about Robin Roberts and her cancer remission at BlackDoctor.Org.

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  (Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images)