By KAT BERGERON
kbergeron@sunherald.com

ABC "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts waves to the crowd outside ABC studios in New York's Times Square on Tuesday. Roberts told viewers that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be undergoing surgery Friday.

"When my mom called to tell me Robin was on TV, talking about her breast cancer I said 'No!' and ran in and watched TV and broke down crying," Niceley said.

"We thought she was coming to talk about the book but now it will be about her own cancer and the importance of early detection."

The Aug. 29 fund-raiser at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi that Roberts is keynoting sold out of tickets the first day in July, but after Tuesday's cancer announcement an anonymous Coast man decided to donate his two tickets to Pink Heart for a raffle to raise more for the Pink Heart. People and media from across the nation are calling in hopes of buying tickets that do not exist.

Roberts says she still plans to be the Pink Heart keynote speaker. She likely will be between surgery and first treatment at that point.

"I can't very well cancel now, can I?" Roberts said.

Since Tuesday afternoon, well-wishers have been posting comments to Roberts on SunHerald.com. Here are some of them:

"Robin has shown that she is a strong caring person. I am a 12 year survivor of breast cancer. I pray that in 12 years she can say the same. We need people like her to educate our women." - Jeanne Meggs

"Robin you are a beautiful person inside and out." - Michele Hirata , vice president of Pink Heart Funds

"We're rootin' for our Mississippi girl." - Peggy, Hattiesburg

"Robin, You have always been one of my favorites since your days with WLOX. I knew then that you would be going places, and you certainly have. I know that you will come through your battle with flying colors. I am a breast cancer survivor of 16 years." - Rachel Hogue; Grand Bay, Ala.

"Dear Robin, You have made everyone proud of your courage to help the Coast and now to deal with your own struggle. I admire what you have done for everyone and the role model you have provided for all the children in this country. May you heal quickly and keep doing the wonderful job you do every day as a great journalist." - Dina O'Sullivan, Minnesota, formerly of Ocean Springs

Pink Heart Funds
The foundation: The nonprofit PHF was launched in 2005 to raise money to help pay for wigs and prosthesis for cancer patients.

Special raffle: Although tickets are sold out for the Aug. 29 fundraiser, an anonymous donor is returning his two tickets to be raffled off, at $25 a piece, from now until Aug. 7, with the drawing Aug. 8. Call 257-9179, leave name and phone number on answering machine.

Address: Pink Heart Funds, JoAn Niceley's Hair Studio, 7544 Red Creek Road, Long Beach, 39560.

On the Web: pinkheartfunds.com