TV broadcaster Robin Roberts will begin her medical leave on Friday from the show “Good Morning America” so she can undergo a bone marrow transplant surgery.

According to reports, during the Monday edition of the ABC News Program “Good Morning America,” 51-year-old Robin Roberts announced the official start date for what is being called her “extended medical leave.”

Earlier this year, Robin Roberts told viewers of her show that she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) — a blood and bone marrow disease once known as preleukemia.

The TV broadcaster said that she will be hospitalized next week to prepare for the bone-marrow transplant that will take place about ten days after that. Robin Roberts added that her sister is the bone marrow donor, explaining, “[She] is a perfect match and she’s been spending a lot of time with me.  She’s been taking shots to help her prepare.”

Roberts also said that the procedure is scheduled for Tuesday, and that she is planning to return to “Good Morning America” following her recovery.

“I know I’m going to have a job when I come back.”

Looking further ahead, Robin Roberts noted she is luckier than many other workers who become ill. She said her bosses have been very generous in giving her the needed time off, and that her job will be waiting for her when she’s well enough to return to the show. Roberts described herself as “very blessed.”

As previous reports have stated, “Good Morning America” plans to use a number of star-studded subs to fill in Roberts’ spot during her absence.

Robin Roberts began her career in 1983 as a sports anchor and reporter for WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 1984, she moved to WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Mississippi, and in 1986, she was sports anchor and reporter for WSMV-TV in Nashville, Tennessee. Roberts was also a sports anchor and reporter at WAGA-TV in Atlanta, Georgia, from 1988 to 1990. She was also a radio host for radio station V-103 while in Atlanta.