WebMD is celebrating the 10th anniversary of WebMD Magazine with the release of a special issue featuring a cover-story interview with Robin Roberts called, “Profile of Courage” where she reflects on 10 heroes in her life who helped her through her own health struggles and shaped the woman she is today.
The special anniversary issue also features “Top 10” lists, including “Star Power”, which looks back on 10 former cover celebrities and their health stories, and “10 Years of Health”, which highlights 10 medical breakthroughs that made headlines and continue to transform lives, as well as other health-related stories that reflect WebMD’s commitment to delivering high-quality, credible health information.
“This milestone not only marks a decade of WebMD Magazine, it’s also a jumping off point for the next 10 years as we continue to empower and motivate people to live happier, healthier lives,” said Kristy Hammam, Editor in Chief, WebMD. “We are so honored to have the radiant Robin Roberts on our 10th Anniversary cover, and to feature her story, along with a powerful selection of Top 10 lists within the pages of this special issue of our Magazine.”
More than 70 celebrities have shared their health-related stories with WebMD Magazine over the years, and for the anniversary issue, its editors selected 10 to highlight from individuals including Katie Couric, Matthew McConaughey, Barbra Streisand, and Sofia Vergara, because their personal story or continued commitment to a cause are in some ways more important than ever.
During her cover shoot in New York City earlier this year, Robin Roberts danced and sang, noshed on healthy snacks, hoisted 10s that were heavier than they actually looked, and when it was over, sat down with writer Gina Shaw to talk about her top 10 “health heroes” – the people and organizations who helped her through her consecutive health battles.
Highlights from her cover story include:
“I really appreciate that he [Dr. Sergio Giralt, MD, chief of the adult bone marrow transplantation service at Memorial Sloan Kettering] asked me if I would be part of a clinical trial. There’s a reason why, as a black woman, you’re told – which is hard to hear – that you’re less likely to get cancer but more likely to die from it,” says Roberts.
When speaking about her nurses, Roberts says, “One night post-transplant I was convinced I was slipping away. And then I heard a voice saying my name over and over again. There was a nurse named Jenny, pleading with me not to slip away. I don’t know what would have happened if she wasn’t there.”
On her Fans and Prayer Warriors regarding her return to Good Morning America after a six-month hiatus Roberts says, “They didn’t forget about me, and you don’t take that for granted. There isn’t a day that someone hasn’t said, ‘I prayed for you.’”
Roberts also talked about her cause, Be The Match saying, “When you’re going through a mess, find the message in it not just for yourself, but for other people. So when I made the announcement about my disease, I knew there was going to be an outcry, and I was partnered with Be the Match to channel that.”
In honor of Roberts’ involvement in the 10th anniversary issue, WebMD Magazine partnered with Be The Match, to help raise awareness and funds for patients with life-threatening blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and other diseases that are in need of a bone marrow transplant. WebMD is offering readers the opportunity to purchase an exclusive gift bag filled with items, including a copy of Robin Roberts’ book “Everybody’s Got Something”, WebMD branded items, gift cards and more from shop.BeTheMatch.org/WebMD, with all proceeds going directly to Be The Match.
Originally launched in 2005 with a circulation of one million print copies, today WebMD Magazine is available in 85% of doctors’ offices nationwide; reaching an audience of more than 10 million through print, online and tablet editions, which are available as a free download for iOS or Android devices or via www.WebMD.com/magazine.
