Bianco makes return after second battle with leukemia

It’s been a little more than two years since Kevin Bianco was first diagnosed with chronic myelogenous (or myeloid) leukemia.
Since that time, Bianco has endured countless sessions of chemotherapy treatments, two bone marrow transplants and thousands of fears.
A year ago, Bianco was sure that his problems were all behind him. The last bone marrow transplant, with the marrow supplied by his brother Jimmy, had seemed to work. He was feeling healthy, back to the regular teaching routine at North Bergen High School and was ready to coach the Bruins boys’ basketball squad once again.
“Everything went well and I started to feel better,” Bianco said. “It was October and I asked if I could come back to school. I just wanted to see how I felt.”
It was not a good return. Just a few days later, Bianco ended up back in Hackensack University Medical Center.
“I couldn’t even walk, so I knew I couldn’t coach,” Bianco said. “I ended up in a wheelchair, back in the hospital for a month.”
Sure enough, the negative thoughts started to creep back into Bianco’s mind.
“It’s only natural that the thoughts were going through my mind, but I tried not to let them get to me,” Bianco said. “I had my family and friends telling me to keep fighting it. I was very determined to get back to work and get back to coaching.”
Bianco took a leave of absence from teaching and coaching. The North Bergen Board of Education, in particular Superintendent Robert Dandorph, supported Bianco every step of the way.
“They told me not to worry,” Bianco said. “They told me to take my time and get better. They were behind me 100 percent.”
Through his battle, Bianco had some trying times.
“I would lose my balance and fall down a lot,” Bianco said. “That’s why I was in a wheelchair most of the time. I went to physical therapy four times a week just so I could walk again.”
While Bianco was out on leave, his assistant coach, Kenny Martoral, took over the coaching duties. Bianco did manage to get to see his Bruins play twice last season, but for most of the time, Bianco was either in the hospital or home trying to recover.
“I was pretty miserable,” Bianco said. “It was pretty difficult to go through this. People would always ask me how I was doing and what could I say?”
But Bianco focused on getting healthy. In September, he got married to North Bergen cheerleading coordinator Nicole Busa, the daughter of a former North Bergen football assistant coach and Hudson County Parks assistant, the late Joe Busa.
Soon after, Bianco made his return to the classroom.
“I really made significant improvement,” Bianco said. “I feel very fortunate. Without the support of my family and friends, I wouldn’t have made it through the tough spots. They all pushed me to keep on fighting and here I am.”
Bianco has also resumed his coaching career and returns to the sidelines this weekend as the Bruins open their season against Roselle Catholic.
“We have a young team, but we’re getting better,” Bianco said.
Much like the coach keeps getting better.
Junior Alex Gil Edward Garcia, who is a fine ball handler and distributor.
Sophomore Anthony Rodriguez is a 5-foot-11 guard who will also start. The Bruins are definitely young and not blessed with a lot of size.
Senior Chris Hernandez is a 6-foot-4 inside player, along with 6-foot-3 junior Robert DeLeon. The Bruins will look to 6-foot-2 sophomore Orel Thompson, the younger brother of former state track and field sprint champion Kevin Thompson, and 6-foot-6 Balla Thien, a native of Senegal who is just learning the game.
“Balla has been making tremendous strides, but he’s very raw,” Bianco said. “I can see the improvements he has been making.”
So Bianco is back – and that might be the best news of all as this basketball season begins.
“I’ve been able to put things in perspective,” the 33-year-old Bianco said. “I feel pretty good and I am glad to be back coaching. I went from being perfectly healthy to having it all taken away.”
Hopefully, Bianco’s health is back – and this time for good. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.