SHOW UP FOR ONE ANOTHER: MARILYN MORALES ON 9/11, GRIEF, IZZY’S LEGACY & TURNING PAIN INTO ACTION

SHOW UP FOR ONE ANOTHER: MARILYN MORALES ON 9/11, GRIEF, IZZY’S LEGACY & TURNING PAIN INTO ACTION What do you do when life hands you trauma, loss, and heartbreak—and you still feel called to help someone else? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes longtime friend Marilyn Morales, nurse, 9/11 survivor, author, advocate, and founder of Izzy’s Legacy. Marilyn has spent her life caring for others. She became a nurse at 17, served as a public health nurse in New York City during 9/11, survived PTSD, endured the devastating loss of her daughter Isabella, and transformed her grief into a mission of service. Her story is about more than survival. It is about showing up. In this episode, you will discover: • Marilyn’s firsthand experience as a public health nurse during 9/11 • Why she did not initially recognize her PTSD • How aromatherapy, movement, breathing, and meditation helped her recover • Why healing requires finding tools that work for you • Isabella’s battle with a rare form of leukemia • Why bone marrow and stem cell donor diversity matters • How a lack of donor matches affects Latino and other underrepresented communities • Why Marilyn created Izzy’s Legacy • How the organization supports entire families facing cancer • Why practical needs like transportation can become critical during treatment • How Isabella’s siblings were affected by the cancer journey • Why Marilyn believes we are more alike than different • What NOT to say to someone who is grieving • Why words matter when someone experiences profound loss • How Marilyn turned grief into action WHEN TRAUMA DOESN’T END WITH THE EVENT On September 11, 2001, Marilyn was working as a public health nurse near the World Trade Center. She helped triage people escaping the towers, cared for injured survivors, and witnessed events that stayed with her long after the day ended. Later came nightmares, migraines, hypervigilance, and paranoia. Eventually, Marilyn was diagnosed with PTSD. She began exploring different tools and discovered that aromatherapy helped interrupt her triggers and remind her nervous system: This is not happening again. I am safe right now. IZZY’S LEGACY Years later, Marilyn faced another life-changing trauma when her daughter Isabella was diagnosed at seven months old with a rare leukemia. Isabella needed a stem cell transplant. No one in the immediate family was a full match. That experience exposed Marilyn to another crisis: the shortage of diverse donors in registries. After Isabella passed away at only 19 months old, Marilyn and her family made a decision. They would keep talking. They would keep educating. And they would keep helping other families. Today, Izzy’s Legacy supports donor awareness and provides financial assistance to families navigating cancer. PLEASE DON’T SAY THAT Marilyn’s book Please Don’t Say That addresses something many people struggle with: What do you say to someone who has experienced a devastating loss? One phrase Marilyn wishes people would reconsider is: “They’re in a better place.” To the grieving parent, spouse, child, or friend, that may not bring comfort. Sometimes the greatest gift is simply: “I’m sorry. I’m here for you.” Then listen. Allow people to talk about the person they love. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Marilyn’s seed is: Show up for one another. When you see something terrible happening, do not stop at: “That’s awful.” Ask: “What am I going to do about it?” You may not be able to solve everything. But you can change one thing. Take action. Help someone. Give back. And remember that underneath our differences, we all bleed red. CONNECT WITH MARILYN MORALES Izzy’s Legacy: https://izzyslegacyinc.org/ Instagram: @author_morales Book: Please Don’t Say That #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #MarilynMorales #IzzysLegacy #PleaseDontSayThat #Grief #911Survivor #PTSD #CancerSupport #StemCellDonation #BoneMarrowDonor #Healing #Community #GiveBack To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547