Craig Melvin Donates Blood to Al Roker during 2022 Health Crisis

Al Roker has openly shared his serious health struggles over the past several years, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2020 and life-threatening complications in 2022 involving blood clots, bleeding ulcers, and emergency surgeries which led to the removal of parts of his colon and gallbladder. During a July 28 segment on the Today show, co-anchor Craig Melvin donated blood live on-air to inspire others and revealed that he had previously donated blood specifically for Roker during his critical health crises, emphasizing the life-saving impact of blood donations. Roker, grateful for Melvin's support, humorously noted changes he experienced after receiving Melvin's blood. The friendship and camaraderie between Roker and Melvin highlight the personal connections behind the scenes of the Today show, with Melvin having joined as a main co-anchor in January 2024. Roker's candidness about his health battles has raised awareness about serious medical issues and the importance of blood donation. Their interaction underscores both the human side of health recovery and the community effort involved in blood donation campaigns.