While training for a Half Ironman triathlon six years ago, Brian Kozera found out he had cancer. The dad and police officer was only 36 and had gotten a hernia and during surgery, doctors found an irregular lymph node that turned out to be cancer. It had spread to his abdomen, hip, chest and spine and he started chemo.
During rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant, the lifelong athlete never gave up on his lifelong dream to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. When walking around the hospital wasn’t enough to keep him active, he brought in his own exercise so he could keep moving. And it’s paid off! After months of intensive treatment, he’s in remission at 42 and his dream is coming true.
Kozera was chosen by Team in Training of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as one of six athletes to participate in the race in October. He’s now doing intense training to be ready to compete and he’s hoping to raise $100-thousand for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help others with cancer. He says, “It’s the dream I never dreamed of happening.”