Uschi Keszler has achieved worldwide recognition as an accomplished and innovative Olympic figure skating coach and choreographer. Her skating and business acumen has put Ice Works, located In Aston, on the worldwide skating map. Many Olympic ice-skating medalists and world champions have been guided by Ms. Keszler for over 40 years.
In addition, Ms. Keszler has worked with Special Olympians and has taken them to competition. Ms. KeszIer overcame tuberculosis as a teenager and had to face the disappointment of not being able to skate in the 1968 Olympics. She did, however, go on to star in the Ice Follies and to coach other rising skating stars. Ms. Keszler developed a skating technique she named Hydro-Blading.
She served on the United States Olympic Committee as a member at large, designated to assist the disabled in sports. She has quietly helped skaters who are unable to pay for lessons and has worked with physically challenged individuals, youth and the elderly on and off the ice.
As a survivor of both breast and uterine cancers, Ms. Keszler is determined to see cancer beaten in her lifetime. Ms. Keszler knew she had to do what she could. In 2001, she founded Pennies in Action and through the efforts of Ms. Keszler and Pennies In Actlon, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Ms. Keszler was able to aid the work of Dr. Brian Czemiecki in his clinical research trials for a cancer vaccine that utilizes the patient’s immune system to fight breast cancer.
Pennies in Actlon has raised over $290,039.00 or 343.3 miles of pennies and Ms. Keszler is well on her way to her goal of $1,000,000.00 for cancer research. Ms. Keszler has also provided her home to cancer patients while they seek treatment, in addition to driving them to treatment and doctor appointments. She has reached out to friends and strangers alike to comfort and help. Pennies in Action can be found on the web at www.penniesinaction.org.
