Lt. Mike Kincaid spearheaded the effort.
“We hope to increase awareness of breast cancer and any type of cancer,” Kincaid said. “Be checked and be checked often. It’s a simple reminder for cancer screenings.”
Kincaid and Paulus have known each another for four years.
“I am the chaplain to the best fire department in the whole world. They all know that I love them,” she said. “I was totally surprised by this whole thing. The first I knew about it was when they gave me my T-shirt.”
Paulus has served as the rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 1501 N. Broad St., in Fairborn since 2005.
She is also a registered nurse, and worked with her husband, Dr. Richard Paulus, for 25 years. The couple has been married for 33 years and has four children: Jennifer Ball, Matthew Paulus, Beth Bayard and Katie Denton. They also have 11 grandchildren.
“Until I had cancer, I did not know the tremendous volume of people being treated for cancer each and every day,” Paulus said. “You don’t realize the gravity of it all. To heighten awareness will make people aware. This means a great amount to me; they couldn’t have done anything better.”
Paulus has made a positive impact in Fairborn.
“She’s a very down to Earth person,” Kincaid said. “She’s realistic about the views throughout the city and all the issues we’ve had. She’s a well-rounded character and has played a very significant part in this department.”
Paulus cautions men and women to know their bodies well, as both can be affected by breast cancer.
“I had negative test results and felt like something wasn’t right,” she said. “I was stage three when I was diagnosed. If I had waited for my next yearly exam I would probably have a very poor prognosis. People have to be persistent with their health care providers.”
Paulus is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments, and radiation will follow six weeks later. She does not know her prognosis.
“I haven’t asked because I don’t want to feel like a statistic,” Paulus said. “Statistics and prognosis is kind of relative. And I intend to beat it; I have cancer but it doesn’t have me.”
For more information, visit fairbornfirefighters.org.
About the Author