This story was updated on 06/21/22 to reflect Robin Roberts’ latest comments about Amber Laign’s cancer diagnosis.
Robin Roberts gave a candid and emotional update on girlfriend Amber Laign’s “challenging week” amid her ongoing cancer battle during the host’s return to ‘Good Morning America’ on Monday, June 20th. After taking off to go on vacation in Key West, Florida, with her longtime partner, Robin returned to the set of the popular morning series to deliver her signature “Morning Message and Prayer.” Robin offered heartfelt thanks to her loyal fans for understanding her very important reason for stepping away from the cameras.
“She [Amber} had a challenging week last week, so thank you for allowing me the time to be with her,” she revealed in the clip. It is difficult to hear that 47 year-old massage therapist and businesswoman is experiencing setbacks during her health battle, but Robin delivered her typical positive spin on the events.
Standing in her dressing room, Robin delivered the “powerful” message which included such soundbites as “things may be coming against you, but know this: God did not create you to be overcome, he created you to be an overcomer.”
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Fans rushed to the comments section with messages of hope and support for the couple. “Sending Mrs Amber hugs prayers,” wrote one fan. “I am praying with you,” wrote another. We all are!
Robin Roberts had previously given a candid and emotional update on girlfriend Amber’s health status during her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 24th, after she revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of last year.
Roberts also announced back in February that she would be taking a break from Good Morning America in order to fully support Laign, who she has been with for 17 years, during her chemotherapy. Roberts hasn’t revealed much else to the public since then, but chose her heart to heart with Ellen as the moment to go into more detail about how she and Laign are doing.
“I haven’t talked about it much, but with you, I will,” the 61-year-old broadcaster, who also battled breast cancer in the past, told the 64-year-old comedian, before adding that she is far more fragile and emotional with Laign’s journey than she was with her own. “She’s doing well, which is great. I went through it twice, barely shed a tear. I’m a puddle every time I think about what Amber is going through. But she is being so courageous and is handling it extremely well.”
Roberts said that, as she had first-hand experience having previously battled breast cancer herself, she was able to give her partner a “bit of a roadmap,” but she also revealed that the learning went both ways, as Laign helped her be the best caregiver, given how well she looked after her when the roles were reversed and she was going through the same thing herself.
"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. So, I'm doing the same thing for her," Roberts added, which echoes the message she shared with her Twitter followers back in February…
"She and I have been together almost 17 years and have helped each other through our challenges like my journey with cancer," she said at the time. "It's my turn now to be there for her like she was for me."
And Roberts has opened up about Laign's health battle once again, telling Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans how "different" battling the disease yourself is compared to watching someone you love go through the same thing. "It’s so different this time. When you're the patient, when it’s you, you've got your doctors, nurses, you've got your treatment, you've got your game plan. When it’s your loved one, you’re just on the sidelines, and you feel so helpless," she confessed. "I can tell you, I have cried, I have been on my knees more about her diagnosis than I was about my two combined."
Fans sent many supportive and loving messages to Roberts in the comments section to the video of her interview, which was posted on the official Access Hollywood YouTube channel. "God bless you both Robin," one fan wrote, followed by the prayer hands emoji. "Sending you Robin, and Amber so much love and light!!!!" wrote another, followed by four yellow heart emojis. "I'm so sorry. They are both in my prayers," another well-wisher wrote, while another fan added, "Praying for both of you," followed by two prayer hands emojis.
