‘Moonshiners’ Digger Manes Updates Fans On Blood Disorder
Moonshiners premiered its 13th season on Tuesday night on Discovery Channel and fans got some distressing news. Digger Manes, who has become a beloved mainstay on the show, has a blood disorder that turned out to be a leukemia diagnosis. After he watched the premiere himself, he wanted to update fans on his condition. You can click here to read what Digger shared on tonight’s episode.
Here is what Digger had to say after the Moonshiners Season 13 premiere.
Moonshiners returns with bad news about Digger Manes
When Moonshiners Season 13 premiered on Tuesday night, most fans expected to see more of the wild mountain men and their moonshine distilleries that made the show so popular. However, what many fans didn’t expect was that one of the show’s beloved stars would reveal a terrible disease. Digger Manes has a blood disorder. Even worse, the testing revealed he has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
The main selling point this season is Steven Ray Tickle and his plans to fight for the legalization of home distilling. The previous 12 seasons have been all about the world of making illegal moonshine and the personalities of the men who set out and do this in the backwoods. However, one new story has little to do with making moonshine and is all about the personal lives of several cast members.
On top of Tickle wanting to legalize moonshine brewing, Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes want to start a plan to sell light beer. Josh Owens, who was injured by racing injuries, also wants to return to making moonshine. However, everything was turned on its head in the final minutes of the Moonshiners premiere when Digger revealed his rare blood disorder.
Digger and Mark plan to now expand their empire across Tennessee, even while it is still against the law.
Moonshiners star Digger Manes on his blood disorder
When the Moonshiners Season 13 premiere ended, Diggle took to Facebook on the account he shares with Mark. He wanted to let fans know what was going on in his life. Digger also admitted that none of the cast has any final cut in what the show puts in its episodes. He said they don’t usually see the episodes until the rest of the world does. That made the editing of this episode a surprise for him as well.
“The production company did film Mark and myself when I gave him the news after I first received my diagnosis of Leukemia,” Digger said. “After more extensive tests my definite diagnosis is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia a condition that is not terminal.”
Digger went on to say that the good news is that this leukemia won’t kill him. However, he did joke it will make him miserable until something else kills him. He then thanked fans for their prayers and asked people to keep watching Moonshiners and to “shine on.”
Moonshiners airs on The Discovery Channel on Tuesday nights at 8/7c, with the premiere airing on January 2, 2024.
Do you have any special memories of Digger Manes on Moonshiners? Let us know your favorite moments and please send your best wishes to Digger in the comments below.
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Sending lots of prayers and love to you. You will beat this monster down.
Digger we love you so much..!! When I heard you say you were sick,,, my heart broke, and I started crying… We already lost Popcorn, and Jim Tom… There’s no way anybody can afford to lose you..!! We pray, and we hope and we thank God for every episode, minute and second we get to be apart you, Mark, and the others. Don’t ever leave and go anywhere without us. Just take it easy and take your time getting better… I’m sure there’s a lot of people that would love to help you if you need it…… Everybody is behind you Brother… Can’t wait for the new season..!!
Lots of love and prayers….!!!
hello tell digger about kuabucha and listen to Paul thatnub talk about his brew.digger and Mark are great.
The guy’s straight up personality with His and Mark’s one liners make them the most entertaining pair on TV. (and one of the all time best)
Sending prayers he’s the absolute best stay strong my friend gods got u
Prayers for you and the doctors that help you to stay healthy.
My wife and I are praying for you Digger. Last night when you told Mark what was going on both of us gasped and didn’t even want to believe it. Then today I looked it up and read your statement and was truly relieved that you were not going to leave us to be with Popcorn and Jim Tom anytime soon. Hang in there Brother.
Mike and Shirley
I’m a fan from the great state of Colorado, I have watched you and Mark from the beginning, my thoughts and prayers are with you. If you and Mark want to come to Colorado I will welcome you into my home and we can share some tall tales and sip some shine together and have a few wonderful days together!! Love Leonard and Sally.
Praying for a healing in the name of Jesus . it won’t be the same without you.
CLL is treatable disease. Quite a number of patients never progress to where they need treatment. But for those that do, there are some incredible, non-chemo treatments. If you’re interested, check out the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and learn about it. I’m almost 10 years into it.
You and Mark are my favorites!!! I love the name-calling and jokes Y’all tell. I cried when I heard you tell Mark the news. So glad I read your post today, it made me feel better. Now I want you to get better. Sending prayers your way!
Ohh Digger..many prayers & love from Minnesota..keep the faith & know that God will take you through the storm✨🙏❤️
digger and Mark yall are great keeping on the tradition make you some kubUcha.watch Paul thatnub taking about this drink
Hang in there Digger. I been battling CML for the past fifteen years. I also have active prostate cancer.I kinda know what you’re going thru. You and Mark are the best at Licker making. I’ve enjoyed Moonshiners since the first episode. Tim and Tickle are great also.
well I send prayers to both you and digger cuz I know you’re both battling it and leukemia is nothing to mess with I’ve lost some family to all kinds of cancer but do what you love do it Best because as far as making moonshine nobody does it better than marking there. maybe Tim Smith but that’s up for debate everybody has different taste buds… anyway God bless and the best of luck and I pray for one day for there to be a cure..
Digger,
.So sorry to hear about You illness.
Started watching you Guys from the beginning…
After watching we fell in love with Tennessee and ended up purchasing some Property there.
We will be Retiring in a few years and moving there. Would love to meet You and Mark in person.
Prayers To You and Your Family.
Digger I was so sorry to hear about your health, I just wanted to tell you that I will be praying for you. On New Year’s Eve in 2003, my husband got the same news about CLL he had the best Doctor at OSU’s University Hospital, and he was in a trial session. Please follow your Doctor’s advice, stay healthy, and live a long life. Remember always that God has you.
Digger we are so very sorry for your diagnosis of blood cancer! Our prayers are with you and
The show! You and Mark are our favorite! May God continually bless you!