Help Support Bret Through a Critical Health Journey

Hello friends and family,

We’re starting this GoFundMe for our dad, Bret Dockter, a beloved teacher, coach, and community pillar, as he faces one of the toughest battles of his life.

For over 25 years, Bret has dedicated himself to his students, teammates, and the entire Harvey community as an elementary teacher at B.M. Hanson Elementary and coach of the Harvey/Wells County High School football team. In 2022, he was honored as North Dakota Teacher of the Year , a recognition of his devotion to his classroom, the friendships he builds, the service-minded projects he leads, and his countless contributions beyond the school walls. His students have organized community projects fundraising for playgrounds, support for local theaters, splash pads, fire trucks, and more, all inspired by the values he instills in them.

What’s Happening Now

In June 2025, Bret went to the doctor for physical therapy concerns and learned something alarming: his blood pressure was dangerously high at 188/114, explaining symptoms like shortness of breath. He was immediately put on medication while doctors worked to understand the bigger picture.

By July, further testing at Trinity Health revealed that his rheumatoid arthritis had progressed into rheumatoid lung disease, which then caused pulmonary hypertension, a rare and serious condition where the right side of the heart works overtime due to failing lungs. This has led to an enlarged heart and a complex medical case that requires ongoing specialty care.

Since then, he has had multiple appointments with specialists, additional consultations with Mayo Clinic, and coordination of care with rheumatologists and lung doctors, all in pursuit of the best treatment plan possible.

In September, specialists confirmed pulmonary hypertension and recommended a specialty drug plan. A medication known as Winrevair (a shot every three weeks) has been incredibly promising for others but carries a price tag of about $30,000/month. At this point, insurance unfortunately denied the drug coverage.

In October, we returned to Mayo for additional heart catheterization testing as part of securing insurance coverage for Winrevair.

In November, Bret received his first dose of Winrevair, just one day after being hospitalized at Trinity for pneumonia.

Most recently, on Friday December 12, Bret was taken to the ER again, diagnosed with sepsis, and airlifted to Sanford in Bismarck. As his blood pressure and oxygen severely dropped, his medical team stepped in and placed him on a ventilator, giving his heart a chance to rest while his body focuses on recovery.

Our Dad isn’t just a teacher - he’s a mentor, coach, friend, and leader who always put others first. He’s the kind of person who stays after school to help a struggling student, volunteers for extra duties in the district, and inspires young people to serve their community. His passion for education and service has left a lasting impact on thousands of students and families throughout Harvey and beyond.

As we continue to push through this complex journey, your prayers and support are greatly needed and appreciated .