Uschi Keszler: From Olympic Coach to Cancer Research Champion
When Uschi Keszler steps onto the ice, something remarkable happens. Athletes straighten their posture, focus intensifies, and possibilities expand. The same transformative energy now fuels her mission against cancer—turning research dollars into hope for patients worldwide.
Uschi Keszler has built a legacy of excellence, resilience and dedication in both sports and healthcare. The former Olympic athlete and six-time Olympic coach has shaped the careers of figure skating greats including Brian Orser, Elaine Zayak, Elvis Stojko, Claudia Leistner, Tanja Szewczenko and Surya Bonaly. Her story, however, extends well beyond the skating world.
Keszler's journey includes personal health battles, having overcome tuberculosis in her youth and later fighting both breast and uterine cancer. These experiences inspired her to become a devoted advocate for cancer research. In 2007, she founded Pennies in Action, an organization dedicated to raising funds for cutting-edge cancer treatment research.
Her primary focus supports the work of Dr. Brian Czerniecki, whose innovative approach harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer without the devastating side effects of traditional chemotherapy and radiation.
The same discipline, strategy and relentless pursuit of excellence that Keszler instilled in her athletes now drives her commitment to ensuring Dr. Czerniecki's team receives support for essential clinical trials. She views this effort as a "Gold Medal" win for humanity – a victory that could shift the entire paradigm of cancer treatment.
Keszler envisions both effective treatments and renewed hope for patients seeking alternatives to conventional cancer therapies. Through Pennies in Action, she has helped raise critical funds supporting clinical trials and research, providing hope to patients who may otherwise have limited options.
At The State of Women Institute, we celebrate Uschi Keszler for her contributions to both sports and the fight against cancer. Her ability to apply principles of discipline, resilience and teamwork to medical research advancement is truly inspiring. Through Pennies in Action, her advocacy for groundbreaking cancer therapies, and her determination to achieve nothing less than a "Gold Medal" solution to cancer, Keszler continues to lead the charge against this devastating disease.
Showers of Hope will be held at the Desmond Hotel (Malvern PA) on April 12. For more information, visit https://penniesinaction.org.