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Rosie O'Donnell's fiancee suffers a rare disease, marriage delayed

By April MacIntyre Aug 6, 2012, 5:59 GMT

Rosie O\'Donnell -Rosie O\'Donnell\'s fiancee, Michelle Rounds, was diagnosed with a series of rare Desmoid tumors. © Daniel Locke / PR Photos

Rosie O'Donnell's fiancee, Michelle Rounds, was diagnosed with a series of rare Desmoid tumors.

"She is recovering from surgery (she had) in June," blogged O'Donnell. "(She's) getting stronger every day. We have joined the fight against this disease, raising money and awareness."

Approximately 900 people a year are diagnised with this connective toissue diseae.

The illness has caused the couple, who became engaged in December, to delay their wedding until next summer. In lieu of gifts, they have requested that donations be made to the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation.

According to the Research website, "desmoid tumors are locally aggressive, infiltrating and sometimes causing destruction of adjacent vital structures and organs. The disease process may be devastating and occasionally fatal."