
Benefit Concert to Support Local Resident
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By: Ashley Dinkel
Community Writer
Photo Courtesy of:
Heather Guhl
Photo Description:
A benefit concert titled “Thanks in Giving” will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. in Redlands for Heather Guhl, a local resident with Lyme disease.
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REDLANDS>> A benefit concert titled “Thanks in Giving” will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. at the Mission Road Church of Seventh-day Adventist in Redlands and will feature performances by members of Pro Deo Choir and Strings and Alessandra Sorace.
There is no cost for the concert but donations are welcomed. All proceeds will be used for medical treatments for Heather Guhl, who suffers from chronic Lyme disease.
Guhl, a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, has experienced numerous medical challenges throughout the past 18 years.
Guhl was in an accident in 1999 that caused several injuries to her spine and nervous system. After many surgeries, she said she continued to have strange and mysterious symptoms which led to a 2012 diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease and coinfections aka MSIDS, multiple systemic infectious disease syndrome.
Throughout the years, Guhl said Lyme treatment provided much needed relief and she was able to work part-time as a home health infusion nurse. She said she had high hopes of being able to study for her nurse practitioner boards and becoming a specialist working to help others with the illness. However, 18 months ago Guhl said she experienced a financial setback and could no longer pay for out-of-pocket treatments that were keeping her illness controlled.
She said the extreme stress she experienced due to the hardship triggered additional Lyme symptoms including severe gastrointestinal difficulties resulting in poor nutrition, weight loss, muscle wasting, osteoporosis, weakness and fatigue. She has muscle and nerve damage that has made a wheelchair necessary at times when she loses her ability to walk. Guhl said the chronic, late-stage Lyme and associated infections have led to reduced immune system function, autoimmune problems and nervous system damage.
The proceeds from the concert will help support Guhl and the medical expenses she has accrued and will have to continue to accrue. If you cannot attend the concert but would like to support Guhl, please go to www.youcaring.com/heather-guhl-572625.
The Mission Road Church of Seventh-day Adventist is located at 27240 Alabama St, Redlands, CA 92373. For more information regarding the concert please contact Linda Ferguson (317) 385-2164.