Onalaska Fire Department raises money for volunteer firefighter’s battle with illness
ONALASKA, Wis (WKBT) – The Onalaska Fire Department is sponsoring a fund drive to help a longtime volunteer with the department cope with an illness.
The department started a GoFundMe effort for Karl Goldbeck, who has been a volunteer firefighter for nearly 20 years who is afflicted with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Goldbeck, a district manager for Burrachos, is a rare condition that causes someone’s immune system to attack the vital nerve cells throughout the body.
Goldbeck and his wife, Pam, are battling his condition but were told it is one of the most expensive conditions to treat from start to finish.
“Team members decided they wanted to do a fundraiser to help support medical bills and things of that nature,” said Onalaska Fire Chief Troy Gudie. “So, with him being a long-time member of this department, obviously we’re going to be out here supporting him.”
Response to the fund drive’s goal of $20,000 has been so enthusiastic that more than $24,000 had been donated as of Monday evening.
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