MEHOOPANY -- Good Morning America's Robin Roberts fulfilled a dream for a woman from Wyoming County Tuesday. The woman is battling cancer and had one wish: to talk to Roberts, a cancer survivor herself.
After Jean Salsman of Mehoopany was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time last year, her children asked her to come up with a bucket list. That bucket list only had one item on it: to meet her hero Robin Roberts from ABC's Good Morning America.
And with the help of her daughter's iPhone, Jean's wish came true Tuesday morning.
Salsman is the anchor for her very large family of seven children, 19 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. But when she needs strength, she turns to Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts.
Both Robin and Jean have beaten breast cancer, but in 2014 Jean's cancer came back.
"I said, 'Mom, one thing that you would want to do,' and she said, 'Well, there is one thing, I would like to meet Robin Roberts.' I said, 'Hmm, this is going to be a project and a half,' so I was determined to not give up," said daughter Lynn Grippo.
Lynn and her siblings reached out to Newswatch 16 and we took it from there. So, not long after Robin Roberts got off of the GMA set in New York City, the call came.
On Lynn's iPhone, Jean and Robin settled in for a face-to-face chat.
"Oh, it's just such a thrill to see you."
Jean has had a particular interest in watching Robin Roberts battle first breast cancer, and then a rare blood disease, in the public eye.
"I'm just overwhelmed by the fact that people are able to glean something from my journey and hopefully it will help you along your path as well. I want to hear a little bit more about you," Robin said.
"Well, I was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago and it came back. We thought we had it conquered, but it came back. So, we're fighting the battle again, it's no big deal. The good Lord is there, he'll take care of us," said Jean.
"I got to say, I love your spirit," Robin responded.
"Well, I thank you; you've given me the fighting spirit. I've watched you and admired you, and you sure are a champ."
Crossing this off her bucket list isn't the end of anything at all. The talk with Robin was just the pep talk Jean needed after finishing her first round of chemotherapy.
"Pure beauty. She's a great lady."
When Jean and Robin wrapped up their conversation, Robin asked Jean to stay in touch and let her know about her progress.
We asked her if there was anything else she might want to add to that bucket list. Jean said the only thing she still wants to do is ride a rodeo horse. And she said we can be there when that happens.
