I am a recently retired (4/20/16) emergency room registered nurse and lifelong sailor.  Worked as a hands on nurse for 4 decades, and now I have an opportunity to live my dream and help a friend.  A friend, had beaten pancreatic cancer a few years ago ( very, very rare) and his bucket list was to sail the caribbean on a 40 foot sail boat.  As I had sailed for 61 years,  I helped him shop for and pick out a very good used Jenneau Sun Odyssey 40.  He made me Captain until he mastered the necessary seamanship skills.  Since retiring, my breathing has gone down the tubes, requiring oxygen 12-24 hours /day for my worsening COPD.  Oxygen tanks are not a feasable option for a voyage from the Canadian border, through the intercoastal waterway to the Virgin Islands.  The only realistic solution is a portable oxygen concentrator, which runs about $4500.   Any funds over that would be used to purchase a folding electric bicycle to facilitate travel around the islands.  We have been planning this adventure for the past 1 & 1/2 years, and hoping to leave in the next 45 days, but my oxygen requirements are holding us up.  I have been battling with my insurance company for over 5 months, and I have realized that the only way to get a POC is to purchase it myself.  After 40 years of treating, consoling, healing, and helping all my patients, I need a break to go sailing.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated to help with our "bucket list" adventure.
    Thank you,   Andrews Hooker, RN.