DEANNA MORALES
RHABDOMYOSARCOMA JOURNEY
My Sarcoma Journey
This video was released in November 2024, following 19 months of intensive treatment, which included numerous surgeries and aggressive chemotherapy. Just as Deanna made the decision to share her story, she received the devastating news that the cancer had returned.
First Diagnosis – March 2023
Second Recurrence– November 2024
Just when we thought we had overcome the unimaginable, our world was shaken once again. In March 2026, I learned that Sclerosing Rhabdomyosarcoma had returned for a third time!. The news was devastating, not only for me but for my family and everyone who has walked beside me throughout this journey.
The road ahead is uncertain, and I won't pretend otherwise. But I am determined to keep fighting.
Third Recurrence – March 2026
The Month's Events
July Is Sarcoma Awareness Month
Every July, SFA and the sarcoma community come together to raise awareness and support people affected by sarcoma. Learn about our plans and how you can make this Sarcoma Awareness Month one to remember.
https://curesarcoma.org/get-involved/sarcoma-awareness-month/
How to take part in 2026:
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Wear yellow. A shirt, a scarf, a ribbon. Any shade counts. Get creative.
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Take a photo of yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, or your dog.
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Share it. Post on social media with #WearYellowWednesday.
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Spread the word. Tag a friend. Nominate your workplace. Challenge your team.
https://curesarcoma.org/get-involved/sarcoma-awareness-month/
On July 24, 2026, buildings and locations from across the country and globally will light their exteriors yellow to raise sarcoma awareness for Light Up for Sarcoma Day.
https://curesarcoma.org/get-involved/sarcoma-awareness-month/light-up-for-sarcoma/
Now more than ever, the sarcoma community needs to unite and advocate for change. With the current administration proposing cuts to vital programs that support sarcoma research and patient care, it’s crucial to make our voices heard.
Join the sarcoma community in Washington D.C. this July for our Advocacy Weekend.
https://curesarcoma.org/get-involved/sarcoma-advocacy/sarcoma-advocacy-weekend/
What is Sclerosis Rhabdomyosarcoma
It’s a rare subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a cancer originating in muscle tissue.
Sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma (SRMS) is an exceedingly rare variant of rhabdomyosarcoma, with fewer than 30 documented cases reported in the English-language literature to date...
and Deanna Morales is one of them.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft tissue sarcoma that forms from muscle cells, and is a rare cancer affecting the connective tissues, including muscles, bones, nerves, cartilage, and blood vessels.
Rhabdomyosarcoma itself is already rare, accounting for about 1% of all adult cancer cases.
Within that, sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma is even rarer, making up only a tiny fraction of RMS cases. Because of its rarity, there is limited data on how many adult cancer cases are attributed to sclerosing RMS, making it even more challenging to find effective treatment options. Since Deanna’s recurrence in November 2024, she has traveled across the country in search of solutions, consulting with medical experts to explore potential treatments for this aggressive and rare disease.