Mike Dess medical fundraiser set for Saturday

"Mike's Fight, Our Fight," a medical benefit for Havreite Mike Dess is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. at Havre Eagles Club.

The fundraiser is open to the community with a full turkey dinner, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and karaoke.

Items for the silent auction are donated from businesses around the community. The 50/50 raffle tickets are $1 per ticket and the drawing will be toward the end of the event. The raffle winner will receive half of the raffle money raised and the rest will go to Dess. Support bracelets that say, "Mike's Fight, Our Fight against Pancreatic Cancer," will also be available for $10.

"I want this to be successful and just a night for his friends and family to come out," fundraiser organizer Candace Dess said. "Even if you don't know Mike, everybody knows someone who has fought cancer or has had this battle to face."

She added that she is still collecting donation items from businesses for the silent auction. Business people who would like to donate items can drop them off at the Havre Eagles Club.

Mike Dess was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early September this year, the family said.

They added that the cancer has not spread as of right now and that he began his first round of chemotherapy Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Great Falls and will continue treatment every other week.

"If everything goes right and the tumor responds and shrinks, he will have another surgery around Christmas time," Candace Dess said.

Mike Dess has been a maintenance worker at Care & Comfort Home Services for the past eight to 10 years.

His family also said they would describe him as a hard-working man who enjoys doing things for others.

"I would like to raise $10,000 between the GoFundMe (online account) and the fundraiser," Candace Dess said.

She added that he travels to Great Falls for chemotherapy and travels to Kalispell to see his doctors.

She said the money will be used to help with any upcoming surgeries, medical appointments out of town and other expenses from being unable to work while on chemotherapy.

For more information or to make a donation, people can call the Havre Eagles Club at 265-9551 or Candance Dess at 262-0498.

People can also make a donation at Mike Dess GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/c9bb4-mikes-fight .

"Everyone is welcome to come and have fun and show support," Candace Dess said.