My name is Eric Piety. Four months ago, at 67 years of age and living an active life, I was diagnosed with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). IPF is a progressive and currently incurable disease where fibrous scar tissue begins to spread in the lungs, making breathing harder and harder due to the stiff tissue taking over. It's a hideous disease. Currently, the only medications available help to slow the progression in "most" people. But the progression continues nonetheless.

I am a lifetime South Bay resident who finds himself currently in Montreal, Canada, so I can be with my family from Ukraine who have permission to stay in Canada. For the next 6-12 months, I need to remain in Canada without leaving for immigration reasons. This was no problem until now.

When first diagnosed due to a persistent cough, I was not terribly debilitated and only had issues with too much exertion. But I could handle normal daily routines. After Christmas, I got the flu. I have dramatically deteriorated since then. I am hoping some of this is due to continued respiratory flu issues and that some function will return, but at this time, I require supplemental oxygen to move about my home and deal with daily chores. The machine that provides this oxygen cost me $3,000 as I have no insurance coverage in Canada. While this one-time purchase is difficult enough, the biggest issue relates to my meds.

I initially decided not to begin any medication, thinking my case was not so bad and I could get everything covered by Medicare once my immigration issue was handled and I could return temporarily to the USA to get care. That's no longer an option. I must begin medication immediately with the hope that it will slow my disease. The cheapest option for me is the generic Pirfenidone medication manufactured in Canada. This will be approximately $1,000 each month as IPF is a rare disease and medications remain VERY expensive. In addition, I need lab tests to monitor possible liver damage from the medication as well as occasional MRIs to assess ongoing lung damage.

There are promising new treatments in development that may eventually stop the progression altogether and possibly even encourage lungs to self-repair where possible. The other option for extending life is a double lung transplant.

Whatever my path may be, I need to stay alive now and limit the progression as I can. So I must beg, borrow, and steal to pay what I must so that my 9-year-old girl has a father around as she grows up.

I continue to conduct my Divorce Mediation practice in Torrance remotely from Montreal as I have done for 4 years. However, this has obviously become much more difficult now. I have no savings as those few funds were spent quickly after coming to Montreal. My income pays 90% of the bills for our family of 5. Thus, I come to GoFundMe with the hope that some assistance may be found to get me through the next 6-12 months when I can return to the States and use my Medicare benefits.

You may wonder why I don't leave for the US now. There is a good likelihood that doing so would cause Canadian authorities to refuse my re-entry as I have currently overstayed my 6-month visitor period. It is very complicated, and I have spoken with several immigration attorneys. My current application for TRP (Temporary Resident Status) is my best option but will take the 6-12 months I keep mentioning. To leave prior to that and possibly not be able to live with my family for an uncertain period would be devastating to me emotionally. I need my family to support me through this. I cannot make it without them near me.

Please consider any small donation. It will go directly to purchasing medication, lab and other necessary tests, pulmonary rehabilitation and visits with my Pulmonary Specialist during the next 6-12 months.

Thank You