Kenny was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 at the age of 42. After decades as an athlete, cancer changed his perspective and he focused on quality-of-life solutions. After a bone marrow transplant, he focused on distance running, cycling and swimming once again. He discovered a coping mechanism and a way to combat pain, fatigue, and treatment side-effects through purposeful movement and (mostly) focused nutrition. In 2018 he ran across the state of North Carolina on the Mountains to Sea trail. He ran about 1200 miles in 54 days averaging 22 miles a day while undergoing maintenance chemotherapy. Today, he is still fighting cancer with daily chemotherapy and still training for ultramarathons and epic adventures. Despite all the running and adventures, he has relapsed once, and has had multiple bone lesions and a few fractures.
He is the Executive Director of Cancer Active and creator of the Cancer Active Patient Portal, whose mission is to encourage all blood cancer patients to stay healthy and active through treatment. He was educated at the University of Georgia (AB), the University of Denver (JD), and the University of North Carolina (MPH). He is married and is father to three children and four stepchildren. He advocates for all individuals living with blood cancers, and wants to encourage them all to keep moving forward. His philosophy is that every day is another opportunity to take a step. Being active is one of the ways to stay ahead of life and to enjoy it more.
