Help Carl Gunderson’s URGENT Open-Heart Surgery

We, the friends of Carl Gunderson, are asking for your support to help fund Carl's open heart surgery cost and upcoming living expense as he will be unable to work for up to 3 months. 

Carl has been self-employed for 15 years as a certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and health coach. As the owner of Simply Holistic Fitness and Wellness, LLC. Carl teaches his clients and students how to take the best possible care of themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually through proper diet, nutrition, exercise, and managing stress. He has always lead his life by example so as to inspire his students and clients. Carl has made a huge positive impact on the community as a resident of Ann Arbor. He currently teaches yoga through Ann Arbor Community Rec & Ed, InnerSpace Holistic, The Prana Yoga Studio and Hot Room Ann Arbor. Those who know Carl know he has a huge servants heart and makes everyone he meets feel seen, heard, welcomed and appreciated. It’s just who he is. He makes you feel loved.


A few weeks ago, Carl realized that his heart was not beating correctly as it was in A-fib and had no idea why. After seeing a cardiologist at Hope Clinic, getting on a blood thinner at the time, then needed bloodwork and ultimately an EKG at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital it was revealed to him that he has a very serious, life threatening, aortic dissection (or tear). The tear itself is 8 cm in length in the inner layer of his aorta. Carl was immediately rushed to the ER followed by a CT scan. It was not known at the time by the doctors if the aortic dissection was acute or chronic. If it wasn’t for the blood thinner Carl was on at the time he would have gone straight into the operating room. The aorta is the largest artery in your body. An aortic dissection of this size is considered a medical emergency, life-threatening and requires immediate open-heart surgery. This surgery is scheduled for Friday 12/29 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital at 7:30 am. His surgery will take approximately 5 hours, followed by 2 days in the ICU, 5-7 days in patient recovery, then home for final months of recovery. 

Since Carl is self-employed, he cannot earn money during his 2 to 3 month recovery. The medical bills will be astronomical as Carl has minimal health insurance coverage. We are asking for prayers and for any financial support to help ease his financial burden. Any amount that you can contribute is greatly appreciated. No contribution is too small. We want Carl to heal quickly and not be burdened with financial hardship. Also, sharing this page with your friends and family would mean the world to us.

We thank you kindly for your consideration and generosity.

Sincerely,

Friends of Carl Gunderson