- Al Roker experienced multiple health issues back in late 2022.
- The Today host revealed how his co-worker Craig Melvin donated blood to him at the time.
- Craig also had comments about how he felt about giving some of his blood to Al amid his health crisis.
Al Roker and Craig Melvin aren't just buddies who work together on the Today show — they are there to support each other through thick and thin.
Fans of the NBC morning show may remember Al experienced a number of health issues in late 2022. Amid being hospitalized for blood clots in his leg and lungs that kept him back from being on Today, he eventually returned to daytime TV in early 2023 and has been back ever since. And while he's been open about how dire his health condition was at the time, Al revealed that Craig played a special part in his recovery process.
During the July 28 episode of Today, viewers watched as Craig donated blood on live TV. While Craig was lying down and encouraging people to donate as well, it was revealed that he had given blood to Al while he was in in the hospital just three years prior.
"That's right, because I came over and gave," Craig stated before making a joke, per a report in Parade. "I wanted to make sure it was earmarked for you."
While Craig tried to get emotional about being able to help his friend out amid his health crisis, Al had to make sure he had a comment or two about it as well.
"Yeah, in fact, after I got Craig's blood, I started talking slower and I started drinking more bourbon," Al joked back. "So, bonus!"
As some may remember, Al previously opened up about the extent of how bad his medical issues were when appearing on the Your Mama's Kitchen podcast in November 2023.
"It’s no secret that I had a severe medical issue, and to be completely honest, I almost died," he emotionally revealed on the podcast, per TVInsider at the time. "I didn’t know it at the time ... But I missed Thanksgiving and almost missed Christmas and I forgot how important those touchstone moments are."
We love to see two friends support one another.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
