"Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts will take a medical leave at the end of August for her bone marrow transplant.
Roberts said Thursday that she will have good friends Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric amongst those who will serve as substitutes while she is gone. Others who will be filling in for her include talk-show host Kelly Ripa and various panelists from ABC talk show "The View."
Roberts recently announced that she suffers from MDS, a blood and bone marrow disease, also known as preleukemia.
Roberts told reporters at the Television Critics Association conference in Beverly Hills Thursday that her leave would "most likely" begin at the end of August or the beginning of September.
Unsure of how to brace herself for such a serious medical procedure, Roberts said via satellite to ABC's studios in New York, "It's fascinating-slash-scary how to prepare yourself for something like this."
Roberts also shared that she feels tired at times, but with "Good Morning America" dominating over NBC, that it definitely helps lift her spirits.
"The run that we've had has truly energized me," she said. "It's pretty good medicine, I gotta say, to be taking!"
Roberts said back in June that she is planning on receiving the bone marrow transplant from her sister.
Roberts has become a big advocate in bone marrow donation and hopes that more people will be willing to donate.
"Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women," said Roberts. "I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves chances for a cure."
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