ABC's Roberts' illness spurs bone marrow donations - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

NEW YORK (WKOW) -- Since "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts announced she was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder called MDS, or Myelodysplastic Syndrome, more than 11,200 people have registered to be potential donors.

On "GMA," Roberts joined ABC employees in New York as they participated in the "Be the Match" registry drive. Joining her were her "GMA" co-anchors, producers and friends.

"I know what people think," Roberts said. "They think bone marrow and they go, 'Oh, ow, you know, that's gonna hurt.' It doesn't. You know, the testing is a simple swab. If you are a match, often times it's just giving blood."

ABC's "Be the Match" registry drives are also planned for both Washington, D.C, and Burbank, California in the coming weeks in hopes of getting more potential heroes signed up.