When the Answer is No: Finding Purpose Through Pain

Marilyn Morales lived her life like everyone else, working and caring for others as a nurse while taking care of her family in New York City alongside her husband. Little did she know how drastically her life would change on 9/11. The trauma she endured that day catapulted her into a series of experiences that would alter her life forever. When the whole country was in disarray, she found herself dealing with trauma at another level which caused her family to leave the city and start a new chapter in New Jersey.

Still dealing with the effects of the Twin Tower tragedy, she found herself fighting for the life of her baby girl. A fight with a rare illness, a fight filled with faith. In her book, When the Answer is No, Marilyn shares with the reader first-hand her remembrance of 9/11, the events that came after, and her continued dealings with loss. But in her pain, she found purpose! In just a few short years, her daughter Izzy would have a huge impact on their family, their friends, and strangers. In fighting this battle with Izzy, Marilyn realized a need. She saw a need to help others with blood cancers or blood disorders receive the transfers they need to simply live. No one asks for pain, and when you pray and the answer is no, it can be disheartening. But what if that no wasn't meant to destroy you. What if that no was for purpose, to launch you to save others? What if we understood that we could save lives while we're still here, alive and walking the earth?

Marilyn's mission is to create a greater awareness of the need for blood, stem cell, and bone marrow among various ethnicities. Her heart is to educate the masses so that everyone can understand how they can help. She always says, "We can save lives in life." Along with her family, Marilyn plans to continue to speak on this need, increasing the availability of donors of all ethnic backgrounds. This is one incredible story of resilience the reader will never forget.