The South Lake community is coming together to support Dr. Dustin Vaughan, a respected local Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, who has faced his second battle with testicular cancer. A Line Dancing Fundraiser benefiting Dr. Vaughan and his wife, Shauna, will be held at Lake Catherine Farms (5849 Lake Catherine Road, Groveland) on Saturday, January 17.
The event will feature JAZZ-Z, a popular dance instructor, with doors opening at 5:30 pm. Admission is $40, and all proceeds will go directly to support the Vaughan family as Dustin undergoes intensive cancer treatment.
Dr. Vaughan last saw patients on October 10, after being diagnosed with recurrent testicular cancer.
“I’m facing cancer for the second time,” Vaughan shared. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned: never let anyone rush you into treatment. Take your time. Get clarity. Advocate for yourself.”
Following his diagnosis, Vaughan sought opinions and treatment options from cancer centers across the country. While surgery was initially scheduled for June 16, he made the deliberate decision to postpone it. Over the following months, Vaughan focused on strengthening his immune system and metabolic health while placing the tumor under close surveillance, undergoing scans every few months.
His wife, Shauna, emphasized that this intentional approach was critical. “There’s an urgency that often overrides the patient’s voice,” she said. “But urgency without clarity leads to decisions you can’t take back. Dustin chose his terms and his own timeline.”
After extensive discussions with his medical team, doctors determined that the commonly used BEP chemotherapy regimen was not ideal due to its potential impact on lung function—an important concern given Vaughan’s background as a firefighter. Instead, they chose the VIP chemotherapy protocol, the same treatment famously used by cyclist Lance Armstrong during his fight with testicular cancer.
The VIP regimen requires an inpatient hospital stay for five consecutive days of continuous infusion, followed by 16 days of recovery. This cycle repeats four times. At Vaughan’s request, his oncologist agreed to conduct additional scans after the second round to assess the tumor’s response.
“Self-advocacy in healthcare isn’t about being difficult,” Shauna Vaughan said. “It’s about being deliberate.”
In total, Vaughan spent 175 days between diagnosis and the start of chemotherapy, a period he believes was necessary to approach treatment fully informed and aligned with his values.
Dr. Vaughan holds a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), the highest degree awarded to acupuncturists in the United States. He is a National Board Certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, a licensed Acupuncture Physician, and a licensed paramedic with more than 15 years of experience in emergency medicine, trauma centers, and as a fire service first responder.
After retiring from the fire service, Vaughan dedicated his career to integrating Western and Eastern medical practices, offering a holistic and integrative approach to patient care. He is also certified in Exstore, a movement evaluation system designed to identify muscle inhibition and improve strength, mobility, and recovery. While he enjoys working with athletes, Vaughan’s practice serves patients of all ages and activity levels.
The January 17 fundraiser offers the community an opportunity to support a healer who has spent his career caring for others—and now needs that same support in return.
For those unable to attend, community members are encouraged to share the event and keep the Vaughan family in their thoughts and prayers.
