Community rallies for Fjerstad

Alicia Fjerstad remembers the moment her life was forever changed.  She knew something was wrong, but like anyone, Fjerstad was not prepared to hear the word, “Cancer.”
The day was Oct. 28 and the exact words were, “Triple Negative Breast Cancer.”
“I was hit with absolute fear,” Fjerstad said. “Straight fear because cancer is scary. My life went into a whirlwind.”
The rest of the day and evening was spent with boyfriend Shawn Ebnet by her side, telling her daughter, Kaydence, 7, and then her family.
“We broke the news to my family,” Fjerstad said. 
Almost immediately, Fjerstad shifted her fear to having a positive attitude.
“So many people have cancer,” she said. “I’m not going to die. I’m the only one who can do this for me and my daughter and Shawn.”
“I have to keep a positive attitude.”
The idea to put together the successful event came from Danielle Fitch, Fjerstad’s life-long friend. The two have memories playing together as little girls.
“Our dads worked together at SL Contracting,” Fitch said. “After work, our dads would get together and Alicia and I would play. Our families would have get-togethers.”
Fjerstad’s father was a member of the Kasson Fire Department when he passed away five years ago.