Leroy Gardner: Strength, Spirit, and the Will to Keep Climbing
On his 77th birthday, Leroy Gardner expected to spend the day celebrating another year on his family’s dairy farm. Instead, he found himself in the emergency room — doubled over in pain, uncertain of what was happening to his body.
“It all started on my 77th birthday,” Leroy recalls. “I had extreme stomach pain and went to the emergency room. The doctors saw that my kidney was bleeding, and soon discovered that I had cancer.”
A Fight He Never Expected
Doctors waited four weeks before operating so his body could reabsorb the internal bleeding. When surgery day came, they discovered and removed a tumor the size of a rugby ball — a massive challenge that led to complications in the operating room.
Following surgery, Leroy began treatment with Votrient, but the cancer continued to grow and eventually spread to his lungs. Despite the setback, Leroy didn’t give up. Today, he’s undergoing immunotherapy (Opdivo IV) every two weeks, and his latest scans show the best possible outcome: the cancer is shrinking.
Life on the Farm and Beyond
Leroy is a lifelong dairy farmer — strong, hardworking, and used to facing challenges head-on. His days are still filled with activity and purpose. When he’s not tending to the farm, he enjoys gardening, cabinet building, reading, dancing, playing cards, baking, and spending time with family.
That simple joy — spending time with loved ones — fuels his determination to keep moving forward. “How am I going to beat this?” was his first thought after hearing the diagnosis. Today, he’s answering that question through resilience, faith, and a fighting spirit.
Gratitude and Support
Leroy credits his care team, especially Dr. Weight, along with the unwavering support of his family, for helping him stay strong during treatment. Their encouragement keeps him focused on living life fully — not just surviving, but thriving.
Words of Encouragement
While Leroy doesn’t claim to have all the answers, his life is proof that determination, medical innovation, and the right support system can make all the difference. His message is simple:
“Stay active, stay hopeful, and keep doing the things you love. Every day you keep going is a victory.”
Looking Forward
Now 79, Leroy continues to work on his farm, nurture his gardens, and share laughter and love with family. His story reminds us that the climb against kidney cancer isn’t just about endurance — it’s about courage, community, and finding joy even in the toughest moments.