Page 19 - Inspire Health May/June 2016
P. 19
nically, Donn Ernst was a horrible Coach inspired school where Donn coached. When he
wrestler, missing several high school to help others found out about her diagnosis, he went
seasons due to knee injuries, but he while grappling to the principal’s office to find out what
became one heck of a coach. One of his with his own the staff could do to help. The principal
highlights was beating Easton All‑Star put it in Donn’s hands.
Recreation team and their legendary
coach Dick Rutt — while future diagnosis Helping Children
Olympian Bobby Weaver watched from
the stands. He began the Children Wrestling with
“I was such a failure in high school,
that I was motivated to be successful Cancer Foundation (CWWCF). The
later,” says Donn.
In addition to his success as a coach, clinics he holds across the country raise
Donn was an innovator with video, filming
some of the best wrestlers in the world, money and so far, more than $45,000
so he and others could analyze techniques,
find flaws and prepare future wrestlers. has been donated to individuals, families
These combined skills sent him to world
and Olympic championships and clinics. A and care centers.
trip to Russia was a career highlight.
“I like to think that I came the farthest While Alejandra lost her battle, she
with the least amount of ability,” says Donn.
inspired Donn to defeat his prostate
A Big Match
It’s that humility which has helped him cancer. He is still in treatment for
grapple with a new nemesis: cancer. multiple myeloma.
In 2008, Donn had back pain. “Every
“I’m stable, but not in remission,” he says.
time I tied my shoes, my back would hurt
and crack,” he says. Luckily, the doctors and hospital staff
He blamed 33 years of commuting are cheering for him.
from Easton to his New Jersey high
school. But a doctor revealed otherwise: “When facing cancer, you go where
Donn had multiple myeloma, bone
marrow cancer. you feel more confident,” Donn says. “I
He began to see oncologist/ have confidence in Easton. Dr. Oza is
hematologist Rajen Oza, M.D., on the
medical staff at Easton Hospital, who put caring. He sits and listens and is a great
him on medical treatment plan.
guy. The staff at Easton Hospital are
“It worked well and prepared me for a
bone marrow transplant,” he says. Sadly fantastic. I’ve had excellent care.”
the transplant wasn’t successful.
Donn can’t pin down how long he will
Within a year, Donn learned that
he also had prostate cancer. He now remain on medicine or when research
will find a cure.
“Half of my brain is filled with
Photo courtesy of Easton Hospital wrestling,” he says. “The rest is dedicated
to doing something to help others.”
faced 42 radiation treatments, which One thing he knows for certain,
suspended his bone marrow treatments. whether in wrestling or cancer journeys,
Not until the prostate cancer was gone attitude is everything.
could he continue to battle the bone “My mother didn’t put up with
marrow cancer. my nonsense,” he says. “She worked
“We all face challenges,” Donn says. hard, raised me and my brother alone,
“Some greater than others. Certain was generous with others and never
things motivate us to take our ability to complained. So I’ve learned how to be
another level.” tough from the best.”
Alejandra was his motivation. She was And toughness is one attribute you
a student diagnosed with cancer at the want on and off the mat.
May | June 2016 INSPIRE HEALTH 19
wrestler, missing several high school to help others found out about her diagnosis, he went
seasons due to knee injuries, but he while grappling to the principal’s office to find out what
became one heck of a coach. One of his with his own the staff could do to help. The principal
highlights was beating Easton All‑Star put it in Donn’s hands.
Recreation team and their legendary
coach Dick Rutt — while future diagnosis Helping Children
Olympian Bobby Weaver watched from
the stands. He began the Children Wrestling with
“I was such a failure in high school,
that I was motivated to be successful Cancer Foundation (CWWCF). The
later,” says Donn.
In addition to his success as a coach, clinics he holds across the country raise
Donn was an innovator with video, filming
some of the best wrestlers in the world, money and so far, more than $45,000
so he and others could analyze techniques,
find flaws and prepare future wrestlers. has been donated to individuals, families
These combined skills sent him to world
and Olympic championships and clinics. A and care centers.
trip to Russia was a career highlight.
“I like to think that I came the farthest While Alejandra lost her battle, she
with the least amount of ability,” says Donn.
inspired Donn to defeat his prostate
A Big Match
It’s that humility which has helped him cancer. He is still in treatment for
grapple with a new nemesis: cancer. multiple myeloma.
In 2008, Donn had back pain. “Every
“I’m stable, but not in remission,” he says.
time I tied my shoes, my back would hurt
and crack,” he says. Luckily, the doctors and hospital staff
He blamed 33 years of commuting are cheering for him.
from Easton to his New Jersey high
school. But a doctor revealed otherwise: “When facing cancer, you go where
Donn had multiple myeloma, bone
marrow cancer. you feel more confident,” Donn says. “I
He began to see oncologist/ have confidence in Easton. Dr. Oza is
hematologist Rajen Oza, M.D., on the
medical staff at Easton Hospital, who put caring. He sits and listens and is a great
him on medical treatment plan.
guy. The staff at Easton Hospital are
“It worked well and prepared me for a
bone marrow transplant,” he says. Sadly fantastic. I’ve had excellent care.”
the transplant wasn’t successful.
Donn can’t pin down how long he will
Within a year, Donn learned that
he also had prostate cancer. He now remain on medicine or when research
will find a cure.
“Half of my brain is filled with
Photo courtesy of Easton Hospital wrestling,” he says. “The rest is dedicated
to doing something to help others.”
faced 42 radiation treatments, which One thing he knows for certain,
suspended his bone marrow treatments. whether in wrestling or cancer journeys,
Not until the prostate cancer was gone attitude is everything.
could he continue to battle the bone “My mother didn’t put up with
marrow cancer. my nonsense,” he says. “She worked
“We all face challenges,” Donn says. hard, raised me and my brother alone,
“Some greater than others. Certain was generous with others and never
things motivate us to take our ability to complained. So I’ve learned how to be
another level.” tough from the best.”
Alejandra was his motivation. She was And toughness is one attribute you
a student diagnosed with cancer at the want on and off the mat.
May | June 2016 INSPIRE HEALTH 19
