Danielle “Dani” Siegel, Dilworth, is a 35-yr-old devoted wife and mom of two who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Over the next six months, she will undergo an extensive treatment plan including chemotherapy every two weeks, recurring scans every two months at the Mayo Clinic, and a major surgery that will require a 7–10 day hospital stay.
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Mark Alan Liljequist, Fargo, was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema several years ago which only explained some of his symptoms. Upon further testing, he was recently diagnosed with acute pulmonary fibrosis, which is now terminal.
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Jeff Little, Moorhead, sustained life-threatening injuries when he fell 25 feet through an open shaft while working on a roof. He suffered significant blood loss, fractures to his vertebrae, a broken sternum, bilateral pleural effusions, and a pneumothorax. His condition worsened when he developed neurogenic shock and Oglivie’s syndrome, which required a small bowel resection. Despite intensive medical care, Jeff is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Richard Blauert, Dent, Minn., was diagnosed with cardiac problems while undergoing a routine colonoscopy which led to two open heart surgeries. He is now in a longterm care facility fighting infections and trying to heal from complications resulting from surgery. Family and friends are hosting a fundraiser to help him recover from months of lost wages and substantial medical expenses.
Upcoming fundraising events:
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Alissa Pulkrabek, Fargo
A benefit for Alissa Pulkabrek will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Town Hall Bar, 103 Main Ave. W., West Fargo. Proceeds from the free-will dinner and auction will help Alissa, who is impacted by a degenerative disease affecting her cornea. At one time she was almost completely blind. She is now recovering but far from out of the woods due to significant scarring.
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Dean Vetter, Fargo
A benefit for the Dean Vetter family will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Hope South Lutheran Church, 3636 25th St. S., Fargo. A chili dinner, silent auction, and music event is being hosted by friends to welcome Dean and Heidi home after several months spent in the Craig Hospital in Colorado, and to raise help for a handicap-accessible conversion van and home modifications.. In July 2025,
Dean experienced a traumatic accident
resulting in severe spinal cord injuries.
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Heather Mackner
A benefit for Heather Mackner will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Lean-To Tavern, 523 Main St., Bejou, Minn. Heather’s coworkers and friends are hosting a benefit with food, music, and a silent auction to raise her spirits and pay for medical expenses resulting from her treatment for breast cancer. Heather is a wife, mom, and stepmom who was diagnosed in July 2025.
To learn more or give, visit
Lend A Hand Up is a 501c3 nonprofit subsidiary of Dakota Medical Foundation supporting area families experiencing hardship due to a health issue, recent loss of life, or traumatic event. All funds raised by Lend A Hand Up help families residing in Cass, Steele, Traill, Grand Forks, Clay, Otter Tail, Becker, Norman, Polk, Red Lake and Pennington Counties. Gifts raised through Lend A Hand Up’s giving site increase in value by 20% due to generous Boost sponsors. The organization does not collect a fee from donations made to Lend A Hand Up recipients. To start a Lend A Hand Up fundraiser or support one, go to
or call 701-356-2661. Lend A Hand Up, 4321 20 Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.