The founder of a popular Ohio brewery is sharing an optimistic health update after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his kidney. Steve Barnhart, who founded Lock 27 Brewing in Centerville, announced that his recovery is progressing well and that he is looking forward to a long, healthy future.
In early April, doctors discovered a Stage 2 tumor on one of Barnhart’s kidneys. While the mass was not immediately life threatening, Barnhart said in a statement that it “needed to be dealt with as soon as possible.” By June, he had begun the process of having the tumor and half of the affected kidney removed. Following two successful operations, he was able to return home in mid-June to continue his recovery at his own pace.
Barnhart described his current outlook as “very positive,” adding that he is now focused on his ongoing recovery and the years ahead. He credited his medical team at Kettering Hospital and Cancer Center for their skilled care, and he specifically praised the nursing staff, calling them the “unsung heroes” of his journey. In his statement, he also expressed gratitude to the community for their kind wishes and support throughout the process.
Kidney tumors are often found incidentally during imaging for other health issues, and treatment typically involves surgery to remove the mass while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible. Partial nephrectomy, the procedure Barnhart underwent, is a common approach for Stage 2 tumors and offers strong long-term outcomes when the cancer has not spread beyond the kidney.
Barnhart’s recovery marks a hopeful chapter for the brewery founder, who has been a fixture in the Centerville community since opening Lock 27. He emphasized that he is already looking past this health crisis and focusing on the road ahead. For now, he plans to continue healing at home, with the support of his medical team and the community that has rallied around him during this challenging time.