Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
LABOR OF LOVE
Malvern triathlete training in honor of his wife’s battle with rare blood disorder
Malvern resident Tom Kramer is strenuously training to compete in two Ironman triathlons in New York, two national triathlons in Milwaukee — all within a 30-day period this summer — and the Ironman World Championship in Kailua Kona, Hawaii in 2024 — in honor of his wife’s 18-year battle with a rare blood disorder.
An Ironman is a 2 ½ mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon run. The average triathlete will complete an Ironman triathlon in a little more than 13 hours — about 80 minutes for the swim, 6 ½ hours for the biking and five hours for the run.
The 57-year-old Kramer, a veteran triathlete for the past three decades who has battled knee and back injuries as a result of the wear and tear of the Ironman races, considers his ambitious 30day schedule this summer — and the strenuous training for it — a small sacrifice compared to the ordeals his wife Pam has experienced.
Nearly two decades ago, Pam Kramer was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare blood disorder.
“Back in 1998, it was discovered that Pam’s platelets were high,” said Kramer. “She was diagnosed with myelofibrosis in about 2003-04, with side effects of low hemoglobin and shortness of breath, and eventually it was determined that she needed a stem cell transplant.”
As soon as it was found that a blood stem cell transplant was Pam’s best chance at survival, Tom partnered with DKMS, the world’s largest blood stem cell donor center, to raise awareness of the critical need for more donors as he completed long distance runs.
Since 2011, along with the help of DKMS, Tom has inspired more than 6,000 people to join the stem cell donor registry, and through his current efforts, he has raised more than $33,000 for the organization. He is still seeking corporate sponsors.
“Pam needed a stem cell transplant, but wasn’t healthy enough to receive it until last April 1,”
said Kramer. “It’s been brutal the last 18 months. It’s a tough procedure, but anyone can get through it with determination, and Pam is the most determined person I’ve ever known. Pam is way tougher than any Ironman I know, battling pain and ups and downs every day, but we will get to the finish line.
“Pam is recovering slowly but strongly, and this April 1 will be her one-year anniversary. And we’re working with an incredible team at the University of Pennsylvania hospital.”
Next fall, Pam, who competed in eight marathons and many triathlons, hopes to run her ninth marathon.
Approximately 70 percent of people suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers such as Pam must rely on donors outside their families. Pam has no siblings, but stem cell donor matches were found for her through DKMS.
During a 30-day period this summer (July 9 — Aug. 6), Tom will race two Ironman events (a half-Ironman in Geneva, N.Y. and a full Ironman in Lake Placid, N.Y.). He also will compete in the USA Triathlon Nationals in Milwaukee, which brings together the country’s best amateur adult triathletes for three days of racing. Through this 30-day series of races, Tom hopes to raise $50,000, which will fund 1,100 donor testing kits.
“Ironman has agreed to donate anything over $1,850 to DKMS,” said Tom Kramer. “It costs DKMS $45 to process each registrant’s sample, and 100 percent of funds donated to the DKMS go toward registering new potential donors. Ironically enough, I have been working with DKMS since 2011 to raise awareness for the need to add donors to the donor pool to change the odds for patients like Pam. Together, we have added over 3,100 new donors to the donor pool, including over 1,300 new registrations generated in one day in 2013.”
The Willistown Township resident has been training religiously for his upcoming series of triathlons. He wakes up every morning at 6 a.m. every day for a 2 ½ hour training session before going to work at his commercial real estate company, TDK Commercial Advisors.
Tom’s weekly triathlon training currently includes swimming three days (for a total of 6,000 yards), riding an indoor bike for six hours and running 2-3 times per week.
“Right now, I’m training about 10-12 hours a week,” said Kramer. “I’ll be building that up to eventually 18-20 a week. And that doesn’t include strength and conditioning training.
But I’ve got a team of great coaches I’ve been working with from OutFront Multisport in Rochester, N.Y. They’ve been a great help to me. They provide strength and conditioning coaches, PT and race nutrition.”
Kramer has competed in approximately 112 triathlons around the world since 1992.
“Triathlons were like an underground sport 30 years ago,” said Tom. “They weren’t nearly as popular as they are now. Back then, I was swimming in Masters events and I decided to try a triathlon on a whim.”
Globally, DKMS is the largest blood stem cell donor center and the leaders in the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Originally founded in Germany in 1991 by Dr. Peter Harf, DKMS has entities in South Africa, Poland, Chile, the United Kingdom, the United States, and India. The U.S. office was started in 2004.
Globally, DKMS has registered over 11.5 million people and facilitated over 100,000 transplants. To join the fight against blood cancer or for more information, visit www. DKMS.org.
To donate to Tom’s fight, go to