It takes a village — and right now, our village is needed.

Dear friends,

We’re reaching out with hopeful hearts and deep gratitude for the progress Mark has made — and with a humble request for support as the Ruoff family continues to navigate an extraordinarily difficult journey.

The Ruoff family — beloved members of our community and the heart behind the Mountain Brauhaus — have been facing one of the toughest chapters of their lives. Mark Ruoff has been diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

What began as a bout of unexpected fatigue turned into a life-altering discovery. In mid-June, Mark was feeling run down and suspected he might have Lyme disease. But within days, bloodwork revealed a devastating diagnosis, and he was admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, where he underwent a grueling monthlong chemotherapy regimen. Since then, he has endured additional rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.

This is still only the beginning of a long journey — one that most recently included a bone marrow transplant on October 15. Mark needed to stay in New York City for two and half months to recuperate. He still requires ongoing treatment, but if his recovery stays on track, the hope is that he can continue the next phase at home, surrounded by loved ones.

With Mark now recovering at home, Veronica is balancing his care with the needs of their three young children, doing everything she can to keep their world running smoothly with extraordinary strength and grace. She’s doing all of this, while also doing her part to keep the restaurant operating. If you know the Ruoffs, you know they are among the hardest-working, kindest families around — generous, humble, and always ready to lend a hand. Now it’s our turn to show up for them.

Over these past several months, the outpouring of love and support from friends and family has been tremendous. From meals dropped at their doorstep, to helping hands with childcare, to messages of encouragement that have lifted their spirits on the hardest days — the Ruoffs have felt held by an incredible network of care. They are deeply grateful for every act of kindness, every visit, and every word of hope that has carried them through this most challenging time.

With Mark unable to work and mounting medical, childcare, and living expenses ahead, we’re now asking our entire community to come together to help ease some of the financial burden. Your support will give them the space to focus on what matters most: Mark’s recovery and precious time spent together as a family.

If you’re able to donate — no matter the amount — please know it will go directly to the Ruoffs and make a real difference in their lives. Every contribution, every message of support, and every share of this fundraiser helps.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with the Ruoff family during this incredibly trying time. Let’s lift them up with love, strength, and solidarity. ❤️