Woman With Riverhead Roots Facing Health Crisis, Wants To Come Home

RIVERHEAD, NY — The many who love her are trying to help a woman with deep Riverhead ties make her way back home in the face of a health crisis.

A GoFundMe, "Help Andrea Get Back to NY for Medical Care," was created by Katy Kathryn on behalf of David Cobb.

"My friend Andrea Taglieri-Cobb finally got to live her dream life after retiring and moving from New York to Arizona with her partner Dave," Kathryn wrote. "Shortly after moving they got married, and she truly was living her best life, the life she deserved. She was an avid outdoors woman, hiking, exploring nature, riding her buggy all over the Arizona desert, trying out all sorts of cool restaurants and different foods."

But then tragedy struck.

Taglieri-Cobb's husband Dave Cobb told Patch: "My wife, Andrea Taglieri, who made Riverhead her home for many years and where she worked as a substance abuse counselor and volunteer for Maureen’s Haven for the homeless, has been stricken with long Covid, turning into myalgic encephalomyelitis."

He agreed that his wife was living an active life in retirement: hiking, swimming, traveling, playing and pickleball, "when the disease overtook her. Due to hypersensitivity to light and sound, she must remain in a dark room with eye and ear protection," he said. "She is bedridden." In addition, the couple has had difficulty finding in-home care.

He added: "She is desperately in need of medical transport — costing $16,000, in addition to moving expenses — to transport her, as well as all of her belongings, back to Riverhead," where she wants to pursue her medical treatment.

"'Covid is not 'just the flu,' and has serious life-altering consequences for the many stricken down by this illness," Cob said. "Also greatly impacted are their families, loved ones and caretakers. Covid is on the rise again and people need to take precautions," he urged.

Kathryn added, in the GoFundMe: "Anyone that knows Andrea know she would give the shirt off her back for you. She went above and beyond to help people, especially those in need. She often volunteered at soup kitchens and for Maureen's Haven, a local homeless program on the East End, for about 15 years. Even when struggling herself, she found a way to help those in need. During her working years, she was a credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor for over 20 years. Her calling in life was helping people — and now she needs help."

In 2022, Kathyn said, she was diagnosed with long COVID but remained optimistic as always, Kathryn said.

She exercised regularly, participating in water aerobics and hiking, and kept a positive mind, she said.

"As she continued her regular activities she felt weak and drained, with mental and physical exhaustion, but kept going, as she always does," she said. "As time went on she kept getting progressively worse — more weak, more exhausted. She was spending more time in bed than anything."

After extensive testing and numerous doctors visits, she was diagnosed with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis, Kathryn said.

"Andrea is now bedridden entirely ,as any sort of physical movement is debilitating to her; sounds bother her, as well," she said.

Her husband has dedicated himself to helping Andrea do everything, Kathryn said, "even down to eating — she is so weak that she cannot feed herself. Andrea cannot walk on her own. This is absolutely crushing to her and those who know her — she was such an active woman."

Kathryn said she has been trying to find a way to get Taglieri-Cobb back to New York, but all options are costly as she cannot sit up and must lie down for the trip.

"Our goal with this fundraiser is to raise enough funds to get Andrea and David moved back to New York ," where she can receive medical care and be with family and friends that can help, Kathryn said. "Her two children and three tiny grandchildren are in New York, but she cannot communicate with them, due to the disease affecting her ability to speak on the phone or use any screens," she said.

"Any help is truly appreciated," Kathryn said.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.