Helping CVO Family : John & Mel

If you’re seeing this on the Cedar Valley Outfitters page you most likely know who “Gibby” is. 

John Gibson is a full time employee of CVO and has been for years. John was a part time employee when I opened the store in 2001. 

John and his wife Mel have been close friends of mine and my family since 1994. I have had 
the pleasure of sharing many great memories with John and Mel from fishing trips, backyardBBQs and beers around a bonfire. 

Quite simply put. They are good people. 

Last year Mel had to have a kidney removed and has had several surgeries. She came home from the hospital and they both had  high hopes they’d found some relief for her but it was short lived and she has been in and out of U of I hospital for the past  year. 2020 was hard on the Gibsons. 

This week Mel is back at the U of I hospital and she and John were delivered the news that Mel has cancer let alone still having blood pressure and kidney issues. She’s sadly in a great amount of pain.
CVO has paid John’s wages even during the extended times he couldn’t be here in the last year. We didn’t want the need for income to outweigh being home to help Mel. 

With the current added burden of the cancer diagnosis I am trying to make sure John and Mel can be home together without stressing over their bills during this difficult time. 

CVO has only so much financial capability to help. Now I am hoping there some way to use 
CVO’s extended following to help Mel. 

CVO has raised money for many causes and families in the past. This time is very personal and I’m humbling asking for help. 

If you can donate even just 5 dollars it all helps
I know this year has been hard for so many families.

I have John and Mel’s permission to make this post and it will be quite a shock to many as the Cancer diagnosis was just confirmed and they had not yet told many people. 

I am asking for help for my friend who is by default my family for so many years   

Please  free to call me or message me if you have any questions. As they keep me informed I’ll keep you informed of Mel’s progress. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. 

Please keep Mel and John in your thoughts. 

Ernie Traugh