Portable Oxygen Needed To Help Man Battling Illness

RIVERHEAD, NY — For a man battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, the best birthday gift of all is the gift of oxygen. Literally, it is the gift of life.

A GoFundMe page, "Oxygen for Michael's Birthday," was created by Phyllis DeLello LiBrizzi of Riverhead.

For his birthday on Oct. 31, she said, Michael needs, more than anything, a portable oxygen concentrator, something his insurance doesn't cover.

"To be without this makes his life very difficult and he can’t be too far from home. So his world becomes small," she said.

While she has saved some funds, more is needed. "The pulse concentrator may not have enough output for him," she said, adding that the cost is $2,400, with continuous flow costing $6,000 new and $3,500 used.

"We will see at the end of this what he’s able to get. This will be the best birthday present ever. Thank you and God bless," she said.

To donate, click here.

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.