Carson Gunn in hospital-- LNN

By Lethbridge News Now Staff

Canadian Brewhouse hosting fundraiser to help Lethbridge man suffering from illness

Sep 20, 2020 | 8:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge man, Carson Gunn, is suffering from an illness called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS), and the Canadian Brewhouse wants to help raise funds for his treatment.

24-year-old Gunn’s health has taken a steep downward fall over the course of the last six months, due to contracting Mononucleosis(Mono) along with other issues happening in his system.

The 100-mile marathon runner, avid hiker, biker, and basketball player is currently bedridden and Alberta Health has zero supports to give.

CFS is not covered by Alberta Health and few doctors in the province have expertise on this chronic illness.

Gunn has seen many doctors over the course of six months and Healthcare Professionals repeatedly have told him “It’s all in your head” and called him “crazy” when really he was suffering from CFS, a serious disease.

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On top of having CFS where he can not walk, can barely talk, can not feed himself, has immense brain fog, and shooting pains across his body, he has insomnia, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and muscle aching.

CFS is not taught in medical school, which is why no doctors Gunn saw in Lethbridge were able to help him even though CFS is a disease that affects 580,000 people in Canada and one million people in North America.

Gunn’s girlfriend, Ciana Travaglia, says seeing him in this condition is not normal in any way.

Carson Gunn running marathon(2017) — LNN

“Carson and all the other millions of people living with this disease, deserve to be treated fairly by the healthcare system, and have a chance to get better.”

“We want to share Carson’s story with others to help shed awareness of chronic fatigue syndrome and end the stigma surrounding this disease and hopefully get Carson, and anyone suffering with this disease to get back to regular life.”

Travaglia started a Gofundme to help create awareness for Gunn’s condition and reached out to the Canadian Brewhouse to help them out through this tough time.

Link to Carson Gunn’s Gofundme.

With no knowledge of this illness, there is no treatment or cure under Alberta Health Care and only doctors know about it if they specialize in chronic illnesses.

Luckily, there are two doctors who specialize in CFS and one of the two provides treatment for the disease in Calgary.

Dr. Bruce Hoffman of the Hoffman Centre is providing treatment for Gunn’s illness, but his clinic is completely private, which makes the treatment cost astronomical — a rough estimate is $80,000 and possibly more.

Here is where the Canadian Brewhouse comes into the picture, they are hosting a fundraiser for Gunn to help with the treatment costs.

On October 1st, the Canadian Brewhouse is going to be doing a steak night from 11 am-1 am.

Tickets are $25, and that will get you a steak sandwich with a side, and either a highball drink or a bottle of domestic beer.

Also during the night, there will be a silent auction to help raise funds as well.

Tickets are on sale directly from Travaglia, she says you can reach her through Facebook or Instagram.

Carson`s family will be at the Brewhouse’s fundraiser to help answer any questions someone may have.

Ticket for the Canadian Brewhouse’s Fundraiser

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