Jacksonville Man Beats Eye Cancer, Becomes Hope Ambassador

When Michael Klein noticed a strange wave of light in his left eye as Hurricane Milton bore down on Florida in 2024, he never imagined it would lead to one of the most transformative experiences of his life.

An emergency visit to a retina specialist delivered shocking news: choroidal melanoma, a rare eye cancer. The Mayo Clinic confirmed the diagnosis and directed Klein to UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville for treatment.

What could have been a dark chapter became something entirely different. Klein found himself surrounded by compassionate care that transformed his fear into hope.

"The compassion, they were so empathetic and it was incredible what I experienced," Klein said. "All of what seemed dark and scary turned into really an amazing experience."

On January 16, 2025, exactly one year after his journey began, Klein marked the end of his treatment by ringing Aud's Chime in the institute's lobby. The ceremonial bell rings out for every patient who completes their cancer treatment, celebrating their courage and victory.

Why This Inspires

Klein didn't just walk away cancer-free. He walked away with a mission that's bigger than himself.

"I am cancer free and I walk a free man from that disease but with great encouragement and offering hope to so many others," Klein said. "That's what I want to do going forward."

He's now become an ambassador for UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, sharing his story to help others facing similar diagnoses find hope in their darkest moments. His message is clear: compassionate care and advanced treatment can turn a terrifying diagnosis into a story of triumph.

Proton therapy offers a targeted approach to treating cancer, minimizing damage to healthy tissue around tumors. For eye cancers like Klein's, this precision can mean preserving vision while eliminating cancer cells.

Klein's journey proves that healing isn't just about medicine—it's about the human connection that carries patients through their toughest battles and inspires them to lift others up.