As you may have heard, Robin Roberts, a breast cancer survivor, is currently battling a blood and bone marrow disorder. But the tough news anchor at Good Morning America, true to form, is fighting her disease tooth and nail. And now, she’s taking time out to generously offer her thanks to her thousands of supporters. The newswoman recently traveled to Italy and was granted special access to the Vatican, where she prayed for those who have been praying for her since she went public about her rare disorder two months ago.

Our thoughts are with Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, who opened up Monday morning about her rare blood disorder and upcoming bone marrow transplant.

“You crave normalcy,” she said on the show. “You don’t want to tell anybody because you don’t want to be treated differently.”

This unfortunately isn’t Roberts’s first encounter with serious illness, as she announced in 2007 her breast cancer diagnosis. My heart goes out to Roberts and other female anchors who have publicly battled health issues. Here are a few women who have gone through major health issues in front of viewers everywhere.

As much as I love the grit and hustle of New York, there will always be a special place in my heart for small towns — and for people who were raised in such places and experienced much success upon relocating to intimidating large cities.

It’s even better to see them on TV, as they provide a sense of hope for folks outside NYC and DC who dream big and of eventually making a name for themselves. Here are some awesome television personalities who grew up in locations far removed from the media world and maintained their small town pride and charm all the while.

Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts interviewed First Lady Michelle Obama this morning, on the heels of Roberts’ other interview with that other Obama. Maybe you remember it?

Many are dying to know how former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will fare in her “Today” guest spot tomorrow morning against ABC News correspondent Katie Couric, in terms of ratings. But we’re more eager to see women dominate the a.m. television shows. That, rather than the unnecessary attempt to revisit their infamous awkward interview and continuously pit them against each other, should be celebrated.