Support Mark Dugger's Fight Against Cancer

Hello, my name is Jason Van Tassel and I, with family of Colonel Mark Dugger (RET) are trying to raise money for medical and travel expenses. Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and is being aggressively treated at the Mayo clinic. This fundraiser is to help with travel and lodging expenses to and from the Mayo. Please help if you can, and if not, please consider posting this on your social media pages.

Mark has been instrumental in helping hundreds of Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers in the past years with public safety diving instruction, even helping setup standards within the public safety community. Mark was my instructor, and has dragged me down the rabbit hole of diving, which wasn't hard thing for me to do. Mark has an extensive background and his family sent me a letter describing his accolades, please read below.

F#@K cancer!

Here is what Mark's family would like to say...

Dear Donor,

We are asking for your help to raise money for Mark Dugger’s battle with Pancreatic Cancer, which has since spread to multiple vital organs. The funds being raised will be used to pay for Mark’s cancer treatment and other related expenses such as but not limited to chemotherapy, hospital bills, co-pays, lodging near Mayo Clinic, etc.

Colonel Mark Dugger began his military career in 1975. Serving our country as a special forces operator, completing tours in South America. After completing his initial enlistment contract, Mark was reassigned to the US Army Reserves. Mark then attended and received his commission through the University of Minnesota ROTC as a distinguished honor graduate. Mark’s first assignment as an officer was to the intelligence field and he later became a helicopter pilot among many other assignments. While Mark spent 36 years in the military, he served not only stateside but in various roles overseas. Mark’s assignments included but were not limited to serving as the Sarajevo Sector Commander, Military Assistant to the NATO Commander Deputy Commander, Deputy Commander for the Joint inter-Agency Task Force, NATO Liaison to the International Criminal Tribunal, Intelligence Division Chief, and a Human Terrain Team Leader. Through Mark’s service, he was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, among many others. While we acknowledge Mark led a military career to aspire to, his most important assignment in life is being a husband and a father.

While Mark was deployed to Afghanistan, he was exposed to the burn pits, which were eventually banned due to severe health concerns. Burn pits were a method for coalition forces to dispose of waste such as chemicals, paint, medical and human waste. Studies on burn pits have shown an increase in cancer risk and decreased function in vital organs. Specifically, respiratory and pancreatic cancer has been linked to service-connected disabilities.

While serving in the military to provide for his family, Mark also worked at and retired from United Parcel Service after 34 years. In addition, Mark was the owner of Midwest School of Diving and Central States Safety, where he trained both recreation divers and professionals, police and fire dive rescue teams, and college students at the University of Minnesota. He is also a former adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he taught intelligence studies, logistics, and aviation safety.

During his ownership of Midwest School of Diving, Mark wanted to ensure he could serve the underserved, including people with disabilities and veterans. Through his dedication, Mark’s scuba shop became the only scuba shop in a ten-state region able to certify disabled vets and others with disabilities. Some of those disabilities include the blind, deaf, people with muscular sclerosis, people with amputees including double and quadruple amputees, those with muscular dystrophy, PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury), and other assorted disabilities. Mark has also worked with Courage Kenny and Dive Pirates for physically disabled youths and adults.

Outside of his career, Mark also volunteered as a youth soccer coach and assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. He worked with disabled veterans at the Minneapolis Veterans VA Hospital, volunteered with Junior Achievement, and participated in an anti-bullying campaign, flying a helicopter to his children's elementary school.

Mark has been married to Kristine Dugger for 39 years. He has five children and four children-in-law: David and Nicole Dugger(SP), Daniel and Marin Dugger(SP), Nicholas Dugger, Marie and Nikolas Higgins(SP), and Steven and Hayley Dugger(SP). Mark has three Grandchildren, with more on the way.

“My dad, my hero, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This devastating news has turned our world upside down, and we are now facing an overwhelming battle against this aggressive disease. He has always been this larger-than-life figure and the strongest person I know, and I can't imagine the world without him. Treatment and expenses add up, and we can’t do it alone. Your monetary support and prayers can help us so much.

With gratitude and hope,

Marie”

“My father, the man I look up to and aspire to be, my hero, my inspiration and my guide on how to live life has fallen ill. How could this be? This man is a decorated veteran who dedicated his life to service, even beyond his military career. In my eyes, he is invincible. I remember being a child and wearing his uniforms and playing army in the backyard. Doing whatever I could to mimic my father. And now he has fallen ill to a cancer that none of us saw coming. My world has been turned upside-down. One of my fondest memories of my father was when I was 18, he swore me into the military. It was such a unique experience that I was able to share with him. Thankfully, my father has taught me that there is always a mission to focus on, and right now, the mission is to be a supportive son, brother, father, and husband through this nightmare. While our family focuses on the hero who raised us, the hero who has done so much for others throughout the world, we ask for prayers and any monetary support that one is able to give to help ease the weight of this horrible, unfair, and devastating journey.

David”