Friends For Johna
Marrow Donor Drives

  Sunday, October 8th, 2006
  Gretna, NE
  More Information

  Tuesday, September 19th, 2006
  UNMC, Omaha, NE
  More Information

  Monday, August 14th, 2006
  Columbus, NE
  More Information
    Pictures!

  Saturday, August 5th, 2006
  Lincoln, NE
  More Information  Flyer
    Pictures!

The Story

Pictures:
 Johna's New Birthday
 Light the Night Walk
 Mommy & Me
 Halloween 2006
 Thanksgiving 2006
   Letter

Johna's Journey
The Story of Johna (Berner) Kozak

Tuesday, September 27, 2005, "...we think you have Leukemia...". An appointment was already made for her with an Oncologist.  One hour later, the diagnosis was confirmed.  One day later a bone marrow biopsy narrowed it to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
Johna, 30 years old at the time, had just celebrated her 3rd wedding anniversary to Brian; their son Jamison just celebrated his 1st birthday. The devastation was unimaginable. Why Johna? Why now? What about Jamison? What about Brian? What about her friends, her family, her parents, her 7th grade students at Columbus Middle School? They were just getting to know her. Could this be real?  All of these questions, the devastating emotions and all the while trying to understand and listen to the treatment plans that lay ahead -- chemotherapy, surgery. Johna finished two weeks of chemotherapy.  A second bone marrow biopsy would NOT detect any leukemia cells, family and friends were desperate to hear this news.  Johna was in remission!  Everybody was cautiously optimistic, now onto a second phase of treatment: Johna was to be hospitalized once a month for five days of chemotherapy.
Following the news at the end of October that she could go home, Johna got to take Jamison trick-or-treating, one of her goals. He was a little ducky!
Life, although changed forever, was getting back to normal as Johna got to spend three weeks each month at home in Columbus, then back to Lincoln on the fourth week for chemotherapy. During this time, Johna's natural personality was finally starting to resurface, the "old" Johna was back! Life is reality and she watched every reality show she could: Survivor, American Idol, Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars and, of course, her soaps.
She quickly established trusting relationships with her physicians and her nurses--after all they spent a lot of time together. Johna, while in the hospital, would rope her visitors into playing tricks on her nurses.
She was busy with Jamison when at home and keeping up on his scrap booking, teaching him, molding and shaping his young life, playing with him, taking pictures of him, making memories and having fun.
Having fun Johna's always been good at, whether it be with Brian, Jamison, her sisters, the rest of her family, or her friends!. March 24, 2006: A third bone marrow biopsy would once again confirm remission. Johna went back to teaching her seventh graders for the fourth quarter. On June 6, 2006, her last day of school, a routine blood test would show a relapse of her leukemia. The devastation, the disbelief, the desperation start all over again. Doctors told Johna she needed a bone marrow transplant this time. This is the only way to beat this cancer. Johna was admitted to The Nebraska Medical Center a week later. Chemotherapy was started. The search was on for a donor.
Her sisters were each tested and found not to be a match, this was not a setback, but definitely a disappointment, as the search woul now take longer. Johna was transferred back to Lincoln while a search for a donor is being conducted. She is closer to friends and family.
She was discharged briefly for Jamison's second birthday on July first. She continues to be in the hospital. Although this cancer is strong and has proven to resurface, Johna is stronger and will prevail. The support, love and prayers from her family, friends and community will always surround her.
Johna graduated from Lincoln High School in 1993, and from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1997.
Site Updates May 5, 2008 Johna's one of the 2008 Light The Night Memorial Honorees! Read about it here. January 10, 2007 McKown's Guestbook Entries and Columbus Telegram's Obituary Comments added to the details page. Deccember 26, 2006 Johna Kozak has passed away. Details will be posted once they're available. Deccember 22, 2006 Unfortunate News November 30, 2006 Updates! New pictures! Read all about it, here. October 19, 2006 Three Updates! Read them here. September 17, 2006 A Message from Johna! Read it here. September 15, 2006 Transplanting Sooner! Read about it here. September 12, 2006 Many Website Updates! Information on two new drives. Picture updates: Lincoln Drive   Columbus Drive   August 8th Admission September 10, 2006 A Match Has Been Found! Read about it here. August 15, 2006 A big thank you to the almost 150 who participated in the Columbus Drive! August 8, 2006 Pictures Persistent fevers, with her suppressed immune system, are reason enough for a 1 1/2 week admission to BryanLGH West. August 7, 2006 Click here to read a letter to Johna from Congressman Tom Osborne! August 6, 2006 A big thank you to the almost 250 who participated in the Lincoln Drive! August 1, 2006 Back "home" to Lincoln for some rest and recovery, due to her most recent treatment. July 25, 2006 Johna has been re-admitted to UNMC for a different chemotherapy regimen. She's hoping to return to Lincoln in a few weeks.