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Robin Roberts gets a bone marrow transplant

10:52 AM, Sep 21, 2012   |    comments
Robin Roberts
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By Ann Oldenburg

Robin Roberts got her bone marrow transplant as planned on Thursday.

It took five minutes.

It was all captured on film for a video shown on Good Morning America today.

The co-anchor was surrounded by family and friends in her hospital bed as Roberts' doctor injected her slowly with "millions" of stem cells harvested from her sister, Sally-Ann, to treat her MDS, a rare blood disorder.

Diane Sawyer and weatherman Sam Champion were in the room - all wearing surgical masks. "I don't think I will ever forget the power and love that was in that room," said Champion.

As Ain't No Mountain High Enough and other of Roberts' favorite tunes played, "her spirits were high," said Champion.

"I think the Hebrew translation of 'blessings' is 'more life,'" said Sawyer, "and we left with more life because of her."

The day began with a prayer over the cells. Then, after the doctor had injected her and there was applause from all, Roberts' said, "Sally, you're in me."