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Young St. C. native’s battle has not changed his tune

ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Music has for years been a passion for Kevin Kalany, and that passion helped guide the young man on a path to pursue a degree in music education at the University of Akron. Entering his junior year last fall with music on his mind, something unexpected happened that changed his life.

But this life-changing and potentially life-threatening detour has not discouraged 20-year-old Kalany, whose determination and passion for life and for music has kept him moving forward ... and has inspired others around him.

A 2008 graduate of St. Clairsville High School, Kalany entered his junior year at the University of Akron this past fall. The beginning of this school year was different than the previous, as Kalany was not feeling well. He visited doctors back in the Ohio Valley after he began feeling ill for some time. As symptoms of his illness persisted, he went to doctors' appointments, had blood work done, underwent tests ... and then more tests.

In November, he was diagnosed with cancer.

"They found out it was a rare strain of Leukemia," he said.

The official diagnosis was Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a disease which accounts for approximately 1.2 percent of cancer deaths in the United States, according to statistics from the California Cancer Clinic. The disease is typically fatal within weeks or months if untreated, but it is treatable.

Kalany's treatment went from Wheeling Hospital to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. He has undergone his first round of chemotherapy and is currently awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

"They're looking for a donor right now," said Kalany, who is hopeful that a match will soon be found. He will have to remain in Ruby Memorial for about 100 days once the bone marrow transplant takes place.

Kalany had worked at the Riesbeck's grocery store in Bridgeport in the summer. In his youth, he had delivered newspapers in the St. Clairsville area for The Times Leader.

In high school, Kalany was among four seniors at St. Clairsville in the marching band, along with Sarah Molnar, Karen Sommers and Brittany Perkins. All have gone on to college, with Kalany and Molnar studying in Akron, Sommers at West Virginia University, and Perkins at West Virginia Wesleyan, but all have remained close.

At the University of Akron, Kalany's classes in music education have enhanced his appreciation for jazz. Like in high school, he plays the trombone.

Because of his treatment, Kalany has to put his studies on hold, but he remains positive and plans to return to school next fall. He plays in a number of ensembles at the University of Akron, where he is enrolled in the College of Education, the College of Fine and Applied Arts and the Honors College. He also leads singing at his local church and sings in various choirs at Akron. Upon graduation, Kalany plans to teach middle or high school band.

The recent diagnosis may have delayed his pursuits, but they have not at all derailed them. In fact, Kalany is more dedicated than ever in pursuing his goals.

"I'm going to fight it," he said of the cancer. "I definitely feel I can beat it."

When Kalany's story became known throughout the area, volunteers came together to help.

John Mattox, president of the local chapter of A Special Wish Foundation as well as president of the organization's board of governors in Columbus, heard of Kalany's situation and stepped up to the plate.

"We'd received donations and had a wish to grant toward the end of the year," said Mattox. "We want to help people in our community. This young man has to have a bone marrow transplant and is undergoing chemotherapy. His treatment is expected to take place over a long duration of time, and we thought we could do something to help him. We want to help give him a good memory during this difficult time in his life."

A Special Wish Foundation, which has been in operation since 1982, has granted wishes for nearly 10,000 children nationwide who suffer from serious illness. They serve children of all ages, from infants through young people age 20, and Kalany just fits into that age range.

Because of time elements, the initial wish to conduct a symphony orchestra was not immediately feasible, so with the help of the foundation's local board of directors and volunteers, as well as assistance from C.A. House Music in St. Clairsville, A Special Wish was able to grant Kalany's wish of having a brand new trombone specifically for jazz performance.

"It's a great program they're doing locally," Kalany said of A Special Wish. "I think it's really a neat thing they're doing for people, and I truly appreciate it."

Friends and family members - from his mom Vicki, uncle Ron Cain and grandma Lee Cain - have also joined together to help with Kalany's fight. A spaghetti dinner fund-raising benefit for him has been scheduled to take place next Sunday, Jan. 16, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lansing Community Center, 68583 Scott St., Lansing. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

For details visit the Kevin Kalany Leukemia Benefit/Spaghetti Dinner public event site on Facebook.

Ayres can be reached at eayres@timesleaderonline.com.