Robin Roberts celebrates 'first birthday' of bone marrow transplant

Though technically she is 52, Robin Roberts is celebrating her “first birthday.”

Today marks the Good Morning America anchor’s one-year anniversary of receiving her bone marrow transplant. Roberts was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS in 2012, a disorder in which there are not enough healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. Roberts previously battled breast cancer when she was diagnosed in 2007.

Roberts received her bone marrow transplant from her older sister Sally-Ann last year. “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. Well, I’m ecstatic to share with you all that I turn one year old today!” she wrote in a blog post.

“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. Your words of encouragement, smiling faces, and prayers have carried me through the toughest times. I know that I would not have made it to this milestone without you,” she continued.

On this morning’s GMA, the cast and crew celebrated her birthday by rolling out a red velvet cake. Roberts’ sister Sally-Ann called into the show saying “I want to thank everyone across the nation who prayed for my sister, who loved my sister, and supported my sister,” while a tearful Roberts listened. Roberts also debuted a PSA for the Be The Match donor registry, which you can watch here: