From Firefighter to Cancer Fighter: Help Shannon See Ireland

Hi, my name is Chase Cowen, and I’m writing this for my stepmom, Shannon—a woman I’ve loved and called “Mom” since I was a kid.

Shannon has always been the rock of our family. She’s spent her life giving everything she has to others—whether it was during her years as a wildlife firefighter or at home, where she’s been a loving mom to my brother Justice, who has autism, and a devoted wife to my dad, Michael, who lives with MS. She’s the kind of person who puts everyone else first, even when her own world is falling apart.

A few years ago, Shannon was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of lung cancer. It has been a difficult and often terrifying journey, but despite everything she’s been through, she keeps fighting. Recently, we got the heartbreaking news that the cancer has metastasized in her brain. She has once again started chemoradiation to prolong her time with her family, but we know our time with her is precious.

Shannon has been through so much. On top of fighting cancer, she’s raised my brother with so much love and patience and stood by my dad as he navigates life with MS. Years ago, a fire destroyed their home, leaving them to rebuild from the ground up, but she never let that break her. She rebuilt her life and kept showing up for her family, no matter what life threw her way.

Even now, Shannon’s focus remains on caring for her family. But after years of giving so much to everyone around her, we’d like to give something back to her.

Shannon has always wanted to travel to Ireland. This is a bucket list dream. With the time we have left, we want to make that dream come true for her.

We’re asking for help to send Shannon to Ireland—so she can experience something magical, make incredible memories, and finally have something that’s just for her.

Her medical expenses are largely covered thanks to her years of service, but this trip isn’t something we can afford on our own.

If you’re able to contribute, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Every little bit helps. And if you can’t, sharing this page would mean the world to us.

Shannon has spent her whole life giving to others. Now it’s our turn to give her something back. Thank you for helping us make this happen.

With love and gratitude,

Chase