Introducing: #ThriverThursday, a New Initiative to Spotlight 'Thrivers'
Hi, Mighty Family!
I’m Robin Roberts. Good to be with you for a moment.
I want to tell you about #ThriverThursday. It’s a new digital series I created just a short time ago because I really wanted to profile people who are not just surviving — they are thriving.
Six years ago, I underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). I was blessed that my sister, Sally-Ann, was a perfect match, and her stem cells saved my life. During my journey back to health rebuilding my immune system, my doctors required me to be home in New York with limited contact with the outside world. Hand sanitizer and face masks were handed out to all visitors, and even hugs were not allowed. Every solitary day was another tick towards the 100-day mark.
100 days passed, and I had reached a critical point in surviving MDS, five years after facing breast cancer. I had fought off two life-threatening illnesses. Now what?
I had a choice: let my illnesses define me and give into my difficult circumstances, or embrace my experience as a “rebirth.” I refused to look back and only looked forward. Like many others, I chose to thrive, not just survive.
There are so many thrivers in this Mighty community, and in my digital series you will meet people just like you. They’ve experienced everything from a catastrophic diagnosis, unexpected loss, unemployment, divorce, or personal betrayal. These are people who were faced with a choice and they chose to thrive.
So, I hope that you’ll head to ThriverThursday.com, check out the stories that we’ve already posted, and let us know your story or about somebody you know who’s crossed your path and you know that they are a thriver as well.
I look forward to hearing your stories.
Robin
Click here to answer Robin’s question on The Mighty:
Six years ago, I underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). I was blessed that my sister, Sally-Ann, was a perfect match, and her stem cells saved my life. During my journey back to health rebuilding my immune system, my doctors required me to be home in New York with limited contact with the outside world. Hand sanitizer and face masks were handed out to all visitors, and even hugs were not allowed. Every solitary day was another tick towards the 100-day mark. 100-days passed, and I had reached a critical point in surviving MDS, five years after facing Breast Cancer. I had fought off two life threatening illnesses. Now what? I had a choice: let my illnesses define me and give into my difficult circumstances, or embrace my experience as a “rebirth”. I refused to look back, and only looked forward. Like many others I chose to thrive, not just survive. Every year on my birthday, I’m truly touched by the amazing stories of “thrivership” that viewers share with me. That’s why, this year, I’m introducing a new social initiative called #ThriverThursday. Thriver Thursday spotlights "thrivers" - people who persevere, achieve their goals and even surpass them despite life altering circumstances. It's everything from people who have experienced a catastrophic diagnosis, unexpected loss, unemployment, divorce, or personal betrayal. These are people who were faced with a choice and they chose to thrive. Please join in on the conversation online by tagging #ThriverThursday or submitting your stories on thriverthursday.com. Later this year, my production company, Rock’n Robin Productions, will release a new digital series Thriver Thursday where we will spotlight extraordinary "thrivers" we have met along the way. Looking forward to sharing your stories.
robinroberts