Robin Roberts Friday Is My Last Day at 'GMA'

Robin Roberts will begin her medical leave from "Good Morning America" on Friday ... so she can undergo bone-marrow transplant surgery.

Earlier this year, Roberts announced she was was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) ... a disease that attacks the blood and bone marrow.

Roberts says her sister is the bone marrow donor ... explaining, "[she] is a perfect match and she’s been spending a lot of time with me. She’s been taking shots to help her prepare."

Roberts says the procedure is scheduled for Tuesday ... and says she plans to return to work following her recovery.

"I know I’m going to have a job when I come back."


As TMZ previously reported, "GMA" is planning to use a roster of star-studded subs to fill in for Roberts during her absence.

source: tmz.com

Robin Roberts Has Bone-Marrow Disease, Will Get Transplant from Sister

Robin Roberts is facing another health scare.

The Good Morning America anchor revealed Monday that she is battling MDS, or myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease of the blood and bone marrow – and that she will have a bone-marrow transplant, with her sister as a donor.

"My doctors tell me I'm going to beat this – and I know it's true," Roberts, 51, writes in an emotional message to fans on the GMA website.




"If you Google MDS, you may find some scary stuff, including statistics that my doctors insist don't apply to me. They say I'm younger and fitter than most people who confront this disease and will be cured."

Roberts, who beat breast cancer several years ago, will begin chemotherapy immediately.

The bone-marrow transplant will happen later this year. "I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure," she says.

She expects to miss "a chunk of time" after the transplant, but hopes to keep working at GMA full time, or close to it, until then.

"I love what I do and the people with whom I do it," she says. "Along with my faith, family and friends, all of you at ABC News give me the motivation and energy to face this challenge."

Roberts, who leaned on her sisters during her battle against breast cancer as well, suggested Monday that her cancer treatments were likely the cause of this new medical problem. Still, she is optimistic she'll make a full recovery.

"When I faced breast cancer, your prayers and good wishes sustained me, gave me such hope and played a major role in my recovery," she says. "In facing this new challenge, I ask humbly for more of your prayers and love – as I will keep you in my mine and update you regularly on my condition."

source: people.com

Mon Tulfo speaks out on 'T3' - 'People have seen the real Raymart, the real Claudine'

MANILA, Philippines - Columnist and broadcaster Ramon "Mon" Tulfo, who was involved in a brawl with celebrity couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barreto at NAIA Terminal 3 on Sunday, appeared Monday evening on 'T3', the primetime public service program on TV5 hosted by Tulfo's younger brothers, Erwin, Ben and Raffy.

However, the three brothers, after expressing their support for Mon, inhibited from interviewing their eldest sibling, citing ethical considerations. Instead, they gave way for Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, TV5's resident legal analyst, to conduct the interview.

It was about Cebu Pacific at first

Tulfo reiterated to Sta. Maria his initial assertions that he was merely taking pictures of Barretto after chancing upon her berating ground crew of Cebu Pacific.

He said that he was in fact initially pleased to see someone standing up to Cebu Pacific. "Mabuti at nakahanap ng katapat ang CebuPac. Ilang beses ko ng tinuligsa ang Cebu Pac. Mabuti naman at mayrong marunong umangal sa CebuPac," Tulfo said. (It was a good thing to see, someone standing up to CebuPac. I had criticized the airline many times before. It was good that someone was complaining.)

But then Tulfo suggested that Barretto was becoming abusive in her language, supposedly threatening to use her influence to have the ground crew fired. Tulfo said he started taking pictures with his cellphone.

At this point, Santiago supposedly accosted him, and tried to confiscate his cellphone. He refused, shoved Santiago, and that, he said, is what triggered the brawl.

Santiago and Barretto had earlier insisted that Tulfo gave Santiago more than a shove. They also said Tulfo kicked Barretto without provocation. Santiago said he was merely defending his wife.

No room for apologies, for now

Atty. Sta. Maria asked Tulfo if he would accept an apology from the celebrity couple.

"Mahirap siguro ngayon. Masyado akong nadehado eh. Mabuti pa kung fair fight yun eh.” Tulfo said. (It's hard at the moment. I was at a disadvantage. It would be different if it were a fair fight.)

He said he owed a debt of gratitude to the eyewitness who posted a video of the brawl on YouTube. The video shows Tulfo getting beaten up, while he was being held back by airport security.

Message for Claudine, Raymart and listeners

Tulfo had this message for Santiago and Barretto: "Kung ano yung pinoproject niyo sa camera – mabait, wholesome, matulungin sa kapwa, ganun dapat pinapakita niyo sa totoong buhay." (However you project yourselves in front of the camera - kind, wholesome, helpful - that's how you should be in real life.)

Tulfo then asked the television audience to "not judge people too quickly." He said some people assume the worst of the Tulfos, especially given their public persona as no-nonsense critics of abusive and incompetent officials and people in power.

source: interaksyon.com