Mr. Mark - Wrangler extraordinaire!!

Hi, my name is Erin and my friends Cyndi, Elisa and Victoria and I are fundraising for Mark Allen Ruegg, the best child wrangler in all of Los Angeles, CA. Mark has been diagnosed with a rare form of Pancreatic Cancer - Stage 4 - called NEC (neuroendocrine carcinoma) which is typically very aggressive. His treatment options are limited but he will be partaking in a combo of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to beat this!!

Mark has been a child wrangler in the commercial photo world for over 15 years. He's beloved by ALL the kids, parents, productions and crew he interacts with. His job is to help direct the kids to jump and laugh and have fun while the photographer snaps the award winning shots for big, corporate companies. Mark's repertoire with children is second to none as is his professionalism and uncanny knack for knowing how to calm and "redirect" a toddler's angst, sooth an upset baby into a gummy smile, make a 5 year old laugh uncontrollably and get a group of 8-10 year olds working together for a group shot outside, in the rain.

We've know Mark for about 13 years and all of us were instantly drawn to his magnetic personality and kind demeanor. We've all worked together in tandem on set (we are the studio teachers that follow CA Labor laws and provide schooling and welfare for the kids while Mark gets to be the "fun guy") and have become friends. We call ourselves collectively "Team Kid." He's expanded his circle of wranglers over the years, and has helped train and gently guide them. He has helped cultivate a wonderful group of kind-hearted, funny and amazing people who are transforming the industry of photography. We've worked with many of them and can personally attest to the joy that they bring to set, in large part, because of Mark's tutelage.

His amazing wife Buffy is his rock, his guide, his best friend and is in need of our help. A cancer survivor in her own right, she is ready and willing to help Mark battle his disease. Mark works hard to earn his keep and his diagnosis has thrown their life plans for a devastating loop. Buffy and Mark need help covering their day-to-day bills while Mark battles for his life and we would like to help ease this burden.

My studio teacher friends and I are setting up this go-fund-me for Mark and Buffy to do just that, HELP! It absolutely sucks to feel helpless when someone you adore is going through the fight of his life and it's hard to know how to support them. So we encourage you to help by giving. ANY AMOUNT will be appreciated. All of the money donated will go directly to Mark and Buffy for living expenses, medical costs and any unforeseen bills they may incur.

In summary, Mark is amazing. And he wants you to know that YOU are amazing for caring. He hopes to be making you/your kids smile on set SOON with his silly jokes, gentle ways and ridiculous balloon animals.

All our love,

Erin, Cyndi, Elisa and Victoria

*with permission from Mark & Buffy