Robin Roberts boosts bone marrow registrants

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Posted June 26, 2012

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Co-host Robin Roberts wears an armband that covers her pic line for chemotherapy treatment on 'Good Morning America' today. (Credit: By Ida Mae Astute, AP)

The power of celebrity?

It can be a true force for good. Just look at Robin Roberts.

Be The Match national bone marrow donation registry says the rate of new registrants has more than doubled since the Good Morning America anchor said on June 11 that she'll need a transplant, reports AP.

Roberts, who wore a color-coordinated armband today on the air to cover up the spot where she receives intravenous meds, is being treated for MDS, a blood and bone marrow disease. She will require a transplant this fall.

Today, Roberts stopped by a registration drive at ABC News and watched as her co-host, George Stephanopoulos, and her boss, ABC News President Ben Sherwood, got swabbed to see if their bone marrow is a match for someone who needs a donation.