Dave Knox

Innovative Care Heals and Inspires One Local Entrepreneur

Dave Knox learned he had testicular cancer in November 2024, just three days after he was named Mentor of the Year by the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Fear and worry quickly gave way to a laser focus on developing a game plan.

“I’m a husband and a father of 12-year-old twins, and the first thing was just thoughts of the family,” says Dave. “But then the second thought was, I need to call my friends at St. Elizabeth and figure out how to go tackle this.”

A Weight Off His Shoulders

Through his work as executive director of Blue North, an organization supporting entrepreneurs in Northern Kentucky, Dave already knew about the community impact of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. What he didn’t know was just how cutting-edge their Cancer Care could be.

The first person Dave talked to at St. Elizabeth was Doug Flora, MD, Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services. “It was a weight off my shoulders when I made that call to find out St. Elizabeth could do everything that needed to happen,” Dave says.

Dr. Flora introduced Dave to Hematologist/Oncologist Matthew Kurian, MD, who immediately became Dave’s partner in care. “I’m a guy who loves data and numbers,” Dave says. “Dr. Kurian and I sat down to talk about where we were at. What is the stage? What does that mean? What do we need to look at from an innovation standpoint to go tackle this?”

“Dave’s situation is one where he had many options,” Dr. Kurian says. “He had the option of watching very closely after surgery with CAT scans or choosing a little bit of a tougher route of doing chemotherapy and potentially decreasing his risk of the cancer coming back. And he chose the more difficult route. I think Dave did an excellent job in terms of navigating that and understanding what would keep him safe in the future.”

The Best of Both Worlds

Dave’s treatment plan included intensive chemotherapy for several weeks. Now, he returns to St. Elizabeth every other month for genetic testing to look for early signs that the cancer has returned. “We used a combination of tried-and-true therapies, blending it with an innovation to make the best of both worlds, to make my survival rate as high as humanly possible,” Dave says.

This commitment to innovation is one of the main reasons Kurian joined St. Elizabeth. “I felt St. Elizabeth was far ahead of many other cancer centers in terms of the technologies and approaches that made our center very unique,” Kurian says. “Our use of molecular testing and other precision medicine tools gives individuals their best chances of defeating and curing their cancer altogether. That’s the future of oncology, and it’s happening right here.”

The Power of Community

Throughout his treatment, Dave felt surrounded by support. Friends stepped in to drive his kids to sports practices, deliver meals and check in on how he was doing.

That spirit extended into his recovery. When Dave decided to raise money for the Testicular Cancer Society in early 2025, the community rallied. They raised $10,000 in under 24 hours.

Building a More Vibrant Northern Kentucky — Together

Today, Dave is cancer-free and focused on the future. In September 2025, he will launch his newest endeavor, SparkHaus. Supported by St. Elizabeth and other local partners, SparkHaus will serve as a launchpad for Northern Kentucky entrepreneurs, offering co-working spaces, meeting rooms and other resources to help local innovators achieve their goals.

For Dave, the building — located at 727 Madison Ave. in Covington — is more than a business venture. It’s a vibrant place for people to blaze new trails and build something extraordinary. Just like the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth.

Early Detection is Essential

Testicular cancer is not common. It happens most often between age 15 and 45. Signs and symptoms include:

• A dull ache in the lower belly or groin.
• A heavy feeling in the scrotum.
• A lump or swelling in either testicle (can happen suddenly).
• Back pain.
• Enlarged or tender breast tissue.
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum.

See your Primary Care provider if you notice any of these symptoms. Testicular cancer can spread quickly, but it is also highly treatable.

If you have a family history of testicular cancer, genetic testing (available at St. Elizabeth) can help you assess your risk for developing the disease.

Advanced Care and Holistic Support for People Dealing with Cancer

The Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth in Edgewood, Ky., is a place for healing and hope. Our expert team cares for the whole person, not just the cancer. High-quality, personalized Cancer Care is right here when you need it most. You’ll benefit from:

• Multidisciplinary cancer teams provide integrated, well-coordinated care.
• Expert early detection and treatment for many types of cancer.
• Access to cutting-edge clinical trials.
• Sophisticated technology to deliver highly personalized treatment.
• Support beyond treatment, from nurse navigation services to educational resources and survivorship groups.

If you need Cancer Care, call (859) 301-4000 or request an appointment today.

Looking for a Cancer Care provider? Search our Find a Doctor page.

Take a tour of the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth.