As a pro race car driver, Kevin Kromer isn’t afraid to take chances.

But in recent years, Kromer has faced an obstacle scarier than any he could ever encounter on the racetrack.

Kromer, 57, of Walnutport, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2016.

In late 2015 when Kromer had difficulty swallowing solid food, he visited his primary care doctor to see what was wrong.

Kromer then was referred to a gastroenterologist in early 2016, and learned he had a stage 3 tumor in his esophagus.

Within just two days of his diagnosis, he was introduced to his oncology team at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute - Cedar Crest: Dr. Maged Khalil, Dr. Jeffrey Brodsky and Dr. Alyson McIntosh.

Just eight days after meeting his oncology team, Kromer began treatment, which involved several weeks of chemotherapy and radiation.

Kromer’s tumor was in two-thirds of his esophagus and one-third of his stomach, so Brodsky had to remove a good portion of his esophagus, plus part of his stomach, while allowing him the ability to eat as normally as possible.

After his successful cancer surgery in September 2016, Kromer qualified for an immunotherapy trial in November 2016. He accepted and participated in the yearlong trial, which proved successful. The drug from that trial has recently been approved and is now used to treat other patients.

Kromer recently received word that he had been cleared.

In December 2021, Kromer celebrated five years cancer-free, and his oncologist informed him that he made it to this milestone and has now graduated out of oncology and future visits.

“This disease beats you up,” he said. “It takes a toll on you.”

Through it all, Kromer, who has been the owner of Kromer Plumbing, Heating & Air LLC, Walnutport, for over 25 years, continues to do his best to give back.

His No. 77 race car features the Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute logo.

Kromer and his wife, Kelly, decided they wanted to give back to the cancer institute’s research department and support other cancer patients. They made it their mission to raise funds through the registered nonprofit organization they created which is titled “Mission R.A.C.E.R. Inc.”

Kromer is among several valiant warriors who will receive Courage Awards during the 2022 American Cancer Society Telethon of Eastern Pennsylvania.

“Everybody that fights this or survives it should get it; it takes more courage and determination than anything,” Kromer said. “Everybody that goes through it should get something.”

The telethon will be broadcast from noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday from Penn’s Peak, with entertainment, a memorial to Carl “Bud” Wychulis, musician for 40 years of telethons, who died Sept. 25, 2021, after a several year battle with cancer; and a tribute to cancer survivors.

On Sunday, Courage Awards will be presented to: Lisa Trubilla, breast cancer patient and former Panther Valley volleyball coach and diving coach and assistant swim coach at Tamaqua Area High School; McCoy Rapa, 7, of Schnecksville, daughter of Matthew Rapa and Laura Shiffer-Rapa, who has just completed treatment for leukemia; Deborah Hatmaker, who works in human resources at Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer; and Kromer.

For more information, visit www.cancertelethon.org.