Carl Thompson is a father and husband who developed severe post-COVID complications and is fighting for his life.

Carl’s nightmare began September 22, 2021 when Carl was taken by ambulance to the hospital with difficulty breathing. At first he did well. Then we discovered he had a heart attack and blood clots in the lungs and legs. His lungs sustained major damage from the COVID, and he was put on a BiPAP breathing machine. This helped briefly. Then several complications occurred, and he had to be put on a ventilator. His progress has been up and down. He also has Crohn’s Disease, and the medicine for the clots is causing him to lose blood. In the last 3 days he has had to receive blood transfusions twice, complicating his recovery. A tracheotomy and feeding tube will soon be put in. Currently he is in Weirton Medical Center’s Critical Care Unit until a bed is available in Pittsburgh. The doctors are telling the family this is going to be a very long illness and recovery, and when Carl starts to get better he will not get to come home but will have to be placed into a rehabilitation facility.

Carl, along with his wife Karen, have volunteered countless hours to helping others in our community throughout their lifetime. They are typically the first to volunteer for, the first to arrive at, and the last to leave any fundraising event. Carl has been a bell ringer for the Salvation Army; a volunteer for Blessing Box delivery and food distribution; a volunteer firefighter; a youth coach for his children’s soccer, basketball, and football; a booster president and member helping to raise money for high school sports; and an unpaid Brooke County Planning Commission President. He also helped to get the Brooke County Fair started. A 1987 Brooke High graduate, he has supported his alma mater as well as his children’s schools of Weir High School and Madonna High School.

Carl has 3 children, Matthew (24), Mason (18), and Maggie (10). The youngest 2 still live at home. He has been married to Karen Gurrera Thompson since 1995. He is a steel worker by trade and has worked at Weirton Steel, Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, and US Steel, where he is currently employed.

Please help us support our good friend Carl and his wonderful family during this trying time.