“Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts, 63, and her wife “Sweet” Amber Laign, 48, joined other celebrity couples in the Bahamas for a beautiful couples retreat. Their relaxing time under the sun comes just a few months after Roberts and Laign tied the knot.
Roberts and Laign’s bond was strengthened when they both supported each other during their bouts with breast cancer over the years.
Laign was diagnosed in 2021 with breast cancer. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy to treat the cancer.
Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. A couple of years later, she dealt with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which is a rare blood disorder impacting the bone marrow. She underwent a bone marrow transplant to overcome the disease.
Symptoms of MDS include frequent infections, fatigue, shortness of breath (anemia), or easy bleeding/bruising. These symptoms result from the bone marrow’s inability to produce enough healthy, functional blood cells.
Having a partner, friend, or family member by your side can be advantageous in helping care for and support you during a health struggle.
“Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts, 63, and her wife Amber Laign, 48, recently indulged in a Caribbean couples retreat alongside other GMA alumni. The serene escape follows their recent nuptials after nearly 20 years of dating.
Both Roberts and Laign, breast cancer survivors, found solace and strength in each other during their health battles, fortifying their bond in the face of adversity.
Roberts and Laign were pictured with other notable names, including ABC News reporter Gio Benitez and his husband, as well as Entertainment Tonight host Tommy Didario. Former “Good Morning America” weatherman Sam Champion, 62, is also a cancer survivor, like Roberts and Laign.
Champion battled skin cancer. Over the years, he underwent multiple surgeries to remove moles. In 2010, he shared what it was like to undergo Mohs surgery, which is a procedure to treat skin cancer.
WATCH: How Mohs Surgery Removes Skin Cancer
“You’re able to remove a very conservative margin around cancer and study it in essentially real-time,” Dr. Sumaira Aasi, Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at Stanford, told SurvivorNet.
The couples call themselves the “Travel Squad” and recently they spent joyous time in the Bahamas. Video clips show the group dancing and having a great time.
“The tradition continues. The Travel Squad is reunited, and it feels so good,” Didario wrote in an Instagram caption.
Roberts and Laign, the cancer-surviving duo, travel to warm, tropical paradise locations often. In fact, they were married in late 2023 at their favorite getaway spot, Key West, Florida.
Roberts and Laign began their love journey in 2005 and have been by each other’s sides ever since. Perhaps their love grew stronger when they were both confronted with cancer.
In 2007, Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer. She first noticed a lump while preparing for a news segment about performing self-exams for your breasts. Self-exam includes pressing your fingertips along your breast in a circular motion.
WATCH: Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams.
In addition to battling breast cancer, Roberts also dealt with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which is a rare type of blood cancer where abnormal cells form in the body’s bone marrow.
Currently, a stem cell transplant is the only curative treatment option for MDS, but not every patient is a candidate for these intense treatments.
WATCH: How patients with MDS have a chance with a bone marrow transplant.
“A bone marrow transplant is one of the more intense therapies for MDS, so you really want to be able to tolerate this therapy. That is why this therapy is reserved mostly for younger patients and [those] who do not have other medical conditions,” hematology oncologist Dr. Jun Choi explains.
While dealing with the disease, Roberts said “physical exams, blood and painful bone marrow tests and chemotherapy” became her “new normal,” according to ABC News.
Thankfully, Roberts’ sister Sally-Ann was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant. Roberts underwent a successful bone marrow transplant procedure in September 2012.
Robin Roberts and Amber Laign celebrated their bachelorette party during a “Good Morning America” segment surrounded by family and friends. (Photo: Screenshot/ABC ‘Good Morning America’)
Similarly, during Laign’s cancer journey, Roberts was extremely supportive when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021. “Sweet” Amber’s cancer was discovered while doing a regular exam.
Laign underwent surgery in January 2022 and started chemotherapy in February 2022.
Last summer, Laign proudly rang the cancer bell after completing treatment. Throughout it all, Roberts was undeterred to support her soon-to-be wife.
“I didn’t realize how much I had blocked out during my journey, and it was because of sweet Amber because she protected me and navigated for me,” Roberts said.
When Your Partner Take On a Caregiving Role
It is important for cancer warriors amid their fight to have a robust support system. Having a partner, friend, or family member by your side to help care for and support you through a health struggle can be advantageous.
When you take on a caregiving role, it’s necessary to understand your loved one’s diagnosis and assist them when following cancer-care instructions.
WATCH: Managing Life as a Caregiver
MacMillan Cancer Support, a charity that advocates for cancer patients, says communication is a vital tool in helping support a partner with cancer, and it could help a couple understand each other better.
“It can help to ask your partner what support they would like and find useful. This makes sure you help where it is most wanted and needed. It can also help you avoid misunderstandings,” the charity said.
The charity also advises partners to allow a loved one who is dealing with a disease to feel as if they are still in control in matters like family issues, finances, and making their healthcare decisions.
