Launching pumpkins, fighting cancer: a husband's mission to give back

After breast cancer organizations supported his wife, Andrew Masterson found a unique way to return the favor. Chunkin Pumpkins returns to Captain's Quarters this weekend!

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When Andrew Masterson's wife Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, two things became crystal clear: she wasn't fighting alone, and he needed to find a way to help the people helping her.

"These two local organizations, Twisted Pink and Hope Scarves, throughout Melissa's initial shock of what was happening and what she was going through, they were always a phone call away," Masterson recalls. "Always reaching out to Melissa, offering encouragement, scarves, letters of support, sending flowers. They really helped Melissa and I through that initial shock period."

As fall approached that year, Masterson knew he had to do something. As the owner of Captain's Quarters, he had a venue. He just needed an idea- and not just any fundraiser would do.

"I didn't want just another chili cook-off, another tasting, another walk," he said. "I wanted to come up with a fun family event."

His solution? Giant catapults launching pumpkins into the Ohio River.

From humble beginnings to $100,000

This Sunday, October 12th, that quirky idea returns for another year of Chunkin' Pumpkins, running from noon to 6 p.m. at Captain's Quarters. What started as a modest effort that raised $1,500 in its first year has evolved into something Masterson never imagined. This year they are hoping to hit $100,000.

Last year, the event raised $68,000. This year, they've already brought in $65,000 before the first pumpkin flies through the air on Sunday.

"The support from the boating community, the support from Captain's Quarters customers, from the public in general, has just been overwhelming," Masterson said. "It's been fun. It's been inspirational. It's been very emotional."

Now it matters more than ever

The event took on new meaning in 2020 when Melissa's cancer returned- this time as metastatic breast cancer, which spread throughout her body. Unlike other forms of breast cancer, metastatic has no cure.

For a while, Masterson admits, the event was losing steam. "It wasn't dying, but I didn't have quite the motivation to continue it," he said. But when Melissa's diagnosis changed, so did everything else.

"At that point, my entire family, my partners in the business, everybody jumped on board and said, 'Let's continue this event. Let's make it bigger. Let's keep it growing.'"

And Masterson believes it's working. The medication keeping Melissa stable today didn't exist five or six years ago.

"It's my personal belief that the money we're helping raise for these groups that fund research for metastatic breast cancer- I really feel like we're making an impact," he said. "I trust these organizations are funding the right research projects, and what they're finding and what they're developing is helping Melissa stay alive."

When asked how Melissa's doing today, his answer is simple and profound: "It's stable, and that's what we want."

A day of pumpkins and purpose

The event itself has become a spectacle. Three massive trebuchets, which look like medieval-style catapults, launch pumpkins into the river, trying to hit floating targets.

Even with three catapults firing, they can barely keep up with the crowds wanting to launch pumpkins, all purchased as donations to the cause.

Sunday's event is free to attend, and Masterson expects close to 2,000 people throughout the day. Besides pumpkin launching, there will be helicopter rides, live music, face painting, games, local vendors, and fireworks to cap off the evening.

"We're asking for donations. If you buy a pumpkin, that all goes to charity. We're doing helicopter rides, which all goes to charity," he explained. "I feel like everybody's getting some value for their donation, if nothing more than pulling on their heartstrings."

It takes a village- and a family

Masterson is quick to point out this isn't a one-man show. As a third-generation operator who also runs Masterson's Catering and The Olmstead, he says the event wouldn't exist at this scale without his entire family pitching in.

His son Will sat beside him during the interview, part of the family effort that makes Chunkin' Pumpkins possible year after year.

"It would not have grown as big as it has without everybody's involvement, all the family's involvement," Masterson said. "And we're not just focused on Melissa, but all survivors and all metastatic breast cancer patients. We want to help keep them alive."

All proceeds are split evenly between Hope Scarves and Twisted Pink, the same organizations that were there for Melissa when she needed them most.

Captain's Quarters is located at 5700 Captain's Quarters Road in Louisville.

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