Robin Roberts, left, returned to co-anchor ?Good Morning America? Wednesday with George Stephanopoulos, right, after a medical leave of absence to undergo a bone marrow transplant for a rare blood disorder. HEIDI GUTMAN/ABC
Robin Roberts made her official return to the "Good Morning America" anchor desk Wednesday.
In July, the 52-year-old told viewers she had MDS, a blood and bone marrow disease. She started an extended medical leave Aug. 30 and spent 30 days in the hospital following a life-saving bone marrow transplant to treat the rare blood disorder myelodysplatic syndrome.
"I have been waiting 174 days to say this: 'Good Morning America!,'" Roberts, 52, told the TV audience in the show's opening.
She was heartily welcomed by "GMA" colleagues George Stephanopoulos, Josh Elliott, Lara Spencer and Sam Champion.
"I keep pinching myself and I realize that this is real," she said, wearing a bright blue dress and still sporting her short hair as a result of her treatment.
"It's really happening. Faith, family and friends have brought me to this moment and I am so full of gratitude.
"There's so many people that I want to thank throughout the morning, my doctors and nurses and family and colleagues and people who have sat in this chair and those who have blazed the trail before me," she said on air.
"As my mother said, 'We all have something,' . . . Everyone's story has purpose and meaning and value and I share this morning, this day of celebration with everyone."
Roberts has building up to her return since early this month with on-set visits and re-adjusting to the stresses of the job. She was given permission by her doctors on February 6 to announce her return.
She will also make an appearance on the red carpet preceding ABC's live broadcast of the "85th Annual Academy Awards” Sunday on channel 8.
"I know when I sit back down, right in this chair, and I look over and I see you and I see you and I see you and I see you," said Roberts to her colleagues, "It's gonna be, all is right in the world. And it's gonna seem like no time has passed at all."
The "Today" show anchors on rival network NBC added their well wishes for Roberts Wednesday morning, reported zap2it.com.
"Before we get to the news, we want to give a warm welcome back to our colleague at ABC Robin Roberts," said "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, reported the website. "She is back on the air this morning at 'GMA,' she is looking and feeling great, and I know we are all really happy for her. She looks radiant this morning."
"Today" meteorologist Al Roker also commended Roberts for her "grace, dignity and humor and all the work she's done for bone marrow transplants."
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