For more than 21 years, Lt. Mitch Allen has dedicated his life to protecting and serving others. He currently serves as a Lieutenant at the Lee County Sheriff's Office and spent 18 years on the Lee County SWAT Team. He has trained fellow officers as a hazardous materials and firearms instructor and gives back to his community by coaching travel softball.

Now, Mitch needs our help.

A Life-Changing Battle

In March 2025, Mitch was diagnosed with oral cancer. On May 13, 2025, he underwent a grueling 12-hour surgery to remove part of his jawbone and several teeth. Doctors reconstructed his jaw using bone from his leg and performed a skin graft to rebuild his gum.

Next came 30 rounds of radiation. Treatment made eating incredibly painful, and for a time, he had to rely on liquid meals for nutrition.

Through months of surgery, radiation, pain, and uncertainty, Mitch kept fighting. When he completed radiation, his fellow Sheriff’s Office employees lined the hallway to celebrate as he rang the bell marking the end of treatment, a moment that represented months of courage and perseverance.

But his journey isn’t over.

Mitch’s jaw is still healing, and he will need additional surgery before dental implants can be placed. If healing goes as planned, he hopes to receive his permanent implants in the fall of 2026.

Unfortunately, insurance has denied coverage for the implants, considering them “cosmetic", even though his teeth and part of his jaw were lost because of cancer treatment.

Cancer Has Already Taken Enough

The impact of cancer has gone far beyond Mitch’s smile.

After 18 years on the Lee County SWAT Team, he was forced to step away. The bone taken from his leg for his jaw reconstruction required eight weeks of physical therapy, and the lasting effects prevented him from passing the physical agility test needed to remain on the team.

Cancer took part of his jaw.
It took his teeth.
It took him through surgery, radiation, and months of recovery.
It took away a role that had been a major part of his life for 13 years.

We won't let his smile to be one more thing cancer takes from him

Help Mitch Finish the Fight

For more than two decades, Mitch has shown up for others - protecting his community, training fellow officers, coaching young athletes, and serving whenever he was needed.

Now it’s our turn to show up for him.

We are raising funds to help cover the cost of Mitch’s dental implants and related medical expenses. Every donation, no matter the amount, will help. If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser can make just as much of a difference.

Thank you for standing with Mitch and his family as he continues to heal, rebuild, and move forward.

Let’s help Mitch finish this fight with something cancer tried to take away—his smile.