Better together.
Michael Strahan’s daughter, Sophia, shared a sweet message to her twin sister, Isabella, on Instagram amid Isabella’s brain tumor diagnosis.
“I’m so lucky to have the most amazing sister and best friend in the world,” Sophia, 19, wrote on Thursday. “The last few months have been so much harder than we could have ever imagined, but it’s made me realize just how strong you are. You inspire me and I’m so proud of you. Us forever.”
Sophia’s emotional tribute accompanied a carousel of photos of the twins together, including some of Isabella in a hospital bed and another of them as toddlers, wearing colorful matching sundresses and floppy hats.
Her statement arrived hours after Michael and Isabella appeared on “Good Morning America” to reveal that she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor known as medulloblastoma in October 2023.
“Today my daughter @IsabellaStrahan joined @RobinRoberts and myself for an interview about the journey she has been going through on @GMA,” the former New York Giants star wrote on Instagram. “I love you Isabella and I’m always by your side. To all sending love, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!”
A medulloblastoma is a fast-growing cancerous brain tumor that develops in the cerebellum, the back of the brain where movement and coordination are controlled.
Isabella, a freshman at the University of Southern California, revealed she experienced headaches and nausea and “couldn’t walk straight” around Oct. 1. Shortly after, she started “throwing up blood.”
She underwent brain surgery in late October, followed by rehabilitation and six weeks of radiation treatment. In February, she will begin chemotherapy at Duke University, where Sophia goes to school.
“I’m feeling good, not too bad. I’m very excited for this whole process to wrap, but you just have to keep living every day through the whole thing,” Isabella said.
She will also document her journey on her YouTube channel in partnership with Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center.
“It’s been rough. It’s been challenging,” she explained in her first video titled “How it started.” It’s been very hard. But I know time will heal and things will get back,” she noted. “I can’t really say normal because there’s no really a normal now in my life. But things will get back to being calmer.”
Many of Michael’s famous friends showed support for the Strahan family after the announcement.
“Love u guys. Beyond proud and here for u,” sportscaster Erin Andrews said.
WNBA star Lisa Leslie wrote: “You look so beautiful and will be an amazing role model to others! Blessings and healing hands over you💕💕💕🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.”
“Prayers and strength to you and your family Mike ❤️💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🔥🔥,” Terry Crews penned.