|
|
|
|
|
10 October 2025
|
“She went through hell”: Honouring Wisconsin breast cancer fighters, survivors
Fifteen years ago, Shawn Aunkst was given an old red firefighter’s helmet while working at the Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department in the US. While the helmet was unusable, Aunkst knew it had a greater purpose. He spray-painted over the red with a light pink and covered the rim with hot pink tape. Then the signatures started. One by one, names were written on the helmet of those battling breast cancer, of the victors who were declared cancer-free and of angels who died fighting. Now, Aunkst is working on filling his third helmet with names of those affected by breast cancer.
While he now lives in Lincoln and works at the Lancaster County Department of Corrections, Aunkst’s passion for bringing awareness to breast cancer began when his son’s future mother-in-law was battling the cancer.
Just a month after his son got married, his mother-in-law died, leaving the newlyweds and their families distraught. “It tore me apart,” Aunkst said. “With her mom passing, I could see the stress in them, and she still struggles today, but it’s understandable.”
Unfortunately, Aunkst knows it is a battle fought by many. The American Cancer Society says there’s a 1-in-8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer.
In 2024, Aunkst’s sister-in-law was also diagnosed with breast cancer. “She went through hell, but she beat it,” Aunkst said.
Each time Aunkst travels around with the helmet, he carries a pink sharpie for people to sign.
Anyone’s allowed to sign it too, whether they fought breast cancer and beat it, are still fighting, or know someone who has had it.
“I just feel so much for people that, not just breast cancer, get any kind of cancer. I wish there’s stuff I could do for them, but this is my way of doing it,” Aunkst said.
About three years ago while attending fire school in Grand Island, Aunkst shared the story of the pink helmet with another firefighter. “She goes, ‘You mind if I put my name on there?’ I was flabbergasted,” Aunkst said. “She started telling me her story and she started breaking down. She gave me a hug and thanked me. It’s not about me, it’s about honouring people that have fought, whether they’ve won the fight or passed.”
Once the helmet is filled, Aunkst auctions it off. The first helmet raised $100 and the second, $200. The proceeds were given to the Kearney Relay for Life.
But Aunkst isn’t measuring success by the money raised. “Even if it’s just going to a large event of hundreds of people and getting one signature, that is a success to me,” Aunkst said.
His message for people? To keep fighting. “My sister-in-law beat it. Just never give up,” Aunkst said.
If someone would like to add a name to the helmet, Aunkst said people can reach out to his Facebook page, named Stubby Smokeeater.
Source: Lincoln Journal Star
While he now lives in Lincoln and works at the Lancaster County Department of Corrections, Aunkst’s passion for bringing awareness to breast cancer began when his son’s future mother-in-law was battling the cancer.
Just a month after his son got married, his mother-in-law died, leaving the newlyweds and their families distraught. “It tore me apart,” Aunkst said. “With her mom passing, I could see the stress in them, and she still struggles today, but it’s understandable.”
Unfortunately, Aunkst knows it is a battle fought by many. The American Cancer Society says there’s a 1-in-8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer.
In 2024, Aunkst’s sister-in-law was also diagnosed with breast cancer. “She went through hell, but she beat it,” Aunkst said.
Each time Aunkst travels around with the helmet, he carries a pink sharpie for people to sign.
Anyone’s allowed to sign it too, whether they fought breast cancer and beat it, are still fighting, or know someone who has had it.
“I just feel so much for people that, not just breast cancer, get any kind of cancer. I wish there’s stuff I could do for them, but this is my way of doing it,” Aunkst said.
About three years ago while attending fire school in Grand Island, Aunkst shared the story of the pink helmet with another firefighter. “She goes, ‘You mind if I put my name on there?’ I was flabbergasted,” Aunkst said. “She started telling me her story and she started breaking down. She gave me a hug and thanked me. It’s not about me, it’s about honouring people that have fought, whether they’ve won the fight or passed.”
Once the helmet is filled, Aunkst auctions it off. The first helmet raised $100 and the second, $200. The proceeds were given to the Kearney Relay for Life.
But Aunkst isn’t measuring success by the money raised. “Even if it’s just going to a large event of hundreds of people and getting one signature, that is a success to me,” Aunkst said.
His message for people? To keep fighting. “My sister-in-law beat it. Just never give up,” Aunkst said.
If someone would like to add a name to the helmet, Aunkst said people can reach out to his Facebook page, named Stubby Smokeeater.
Source: Lincoln Journal Star