Brain Cancer Survivor Preps for Dolphins 5K Challenge

When Irene Morales lost her vision for 10 seconds in January 2021, she thought it was just another migraine. An MRI the next day revealed a brain tumor that would change her life forever.

The then 30-year-old artist living in Atlanta called her sister with the news. Both cried hysterically before breaking it to their parents that Irene needed emergency brain surgery within 24 hours.

Morales underwent two emergency operations to remove the tumor in her cerebellum. A family friend then connected her with doctors at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she spent the next year and a half receiving proton radiation and chemotherapy.

The Homestead native, now 34, received the news she'd been waiting for: she was cancer-free. Her mom was the first person she told, and both celebrated knowing the hardest part was behind them.

Today, Morales has found strength in Sylvester's survivorship program, where she connects with others who understand exactly what she's been through. She never has to explain what "chemo brain" feels like because her community just gets it.

Why This Inspires

Morales joined Sylvester's "Believe in You" campaign and is preparing to run the 5K at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge on February 28 at Hard Rock Stadium. She'll have her family cheering her on every step of the way.

The event brings together cancer survivors to celebrate life and show others what's possible after diagnosis. For Morales, it's become about more than her own recovery.

She wants fellow patients to see survivors come together and know that beating cancer deserves to be celebrated. Her message is simple: if she could do it, they can too.

The young artist who once faced emergency brain surgery is now living proof that the fight is worth it. She's using her second chance at life to build community and remind others to never give up.