My cancer journey began in April 2014, while training for a local triathlon. I was serving as an officer with the Norristown Police Department and my wife, Kristin and I were raising three young daughters. A hernia landed me in my local hospital, where I learned my life was about to change forever. My surgeon detected a suspicious lymph node which was eventually diagnosed as a rare cancer, called Lympocyte Depleted Hodgkin’a Lymphoma. To say we were shocked would be an understatement. At 36, I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer that had spread to my groin, pelvis, right hip, abdomen, chest, and spine. (watch my story here)
Kristin and I had recently welcomed our third daughter, Avery. Like me, she was diagnosed with a rare disease, CDKL5 deficiency disorder, but her gene mutation would cause epilepsy and lifelong special needs. Unlike my diagnosis, doctors have not YET identified a successful treatment for her. My family needed me, so I was determined to fight this cancer.
My father, Richard J. Kozera, MD, FACP, was the Executive Associate Dean at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. A few months before my father’s untimely passing, he referred me to his colleague, Richard Fisher, MD, the President and CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center, whose clinical expertise is lymphoma. Dr. Fisher started me on 16 rounds of chemotherapy, which was followed by a bone marrow transplant in May 2015. Even facing a very challenging treatment, I set my sight on reaching my dreams of competing in an Ironman. I brought a stationary bike into the hospital where I continued to train in my room. Six months after my transplant, I completed my first step in achieving my goal by finishing the Philadelphia Marathon in 4 hours and 30 minutes.
The next step came in April 2016, when I traveled to New Orleans and finished a grueling half-Ironman in windy conditions. On June 26, 2016, just 4 18 days post-transplant, I traveled to Austria to compete in the 140.6 mile Ironman. I wasn’t just surviving, I was thriving.
In addition to conquering the massive undertaking that was Ironman Austria, I was able to return full time to my job as a police officer. Most importantly, I’ve been able to get back to being a full time husband and father to my three daughters, Paige, Josie, and Avery introducing them to the outdoor sports I love so much.
Witnessing Avery’s determination allowed me to follow my dreams. I became a USAT certified coach and completed five full distance Ironman competitions, including three in one year – Lake Placid, NY, Chattanooga, TN and Cozumel, Mexico – earning me a Silver All World Athlete award. In 2020 I raced in Cozumel and continue to work toward my full potential. Competing in Kona has been a dream of mine and with the support of LLS, I now have the opportunity to reach this goal.
