Mark Needs Portable Oxygen

Hi Everybody,

Over the last few years I have been coping with COPD, a degenerative lung disease which slowly erodes my lungs' ability to absorb oxygen. This necessitates the use of supplemental oxygen so I can slowly maintain an O2 level of at least 90% in my bloodstream. Below 90%, I suffer from hypoxia which causes loss of mental acuity, straining my heart as it beats faster to compensate from lack of oxygen. Left untreated and as O2 drops hypoxia can lead to loss of consciousness, organ failure and eventually death.

While at home I have an oxygen concentrator which provides a continuous flow of enough oxygen that I am safely in the upper 90s percentage for O2, and live my life completely normally. I am also diligently following doctors' instruction in terms of diet, medication and an exercise regimen as this all helps mitigate the effects of my disease.

For my oxygen needs outside the home, I have an old portable oxygen concentrator which, unfortunately, provides a much weaker stream of oxygen, it barely gets me to 90% (as long as I am sitting and not moving) and the battery life is around three hours. Despite exhausting all options working with my pulmonologist and insurance provider, they are unable to provide me with an adequate solution for my oxygen needs. The only portable device they have made available is outdated and weak, providing inadequate oxygen for true independence and mobility. It greatly restricts my ability to socialize, work and even leave my apartment for anything longer than brief periods.

Because my medical insurance can't meet my needs, my only alternative is to purchase an oxygen concentrator out of pocket. After diligent research, I found that the INOGEN G5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator is the ideal solution I have been seeking - providing much longer battery life - 13 hours with dual batteries! - and far more robust oxygen delivery (more than triple the amount my current device provides) that will meet my O2 needs. It is based on innovative and new, exciting technology - which is exactly what I need to get back into the world I love so much and aid in my recovery!

I profoundly thank you for reading and your consideration towards this fundraising goal. Have an awesome day!