Bob (Okie) Okerfelt is 62 years young and is very ill. After years of struggling with severe COPD, a lung transplant is his only hope for survival. Transplants are lifesaving but financially draining.

Prior to his diagnosis, Okie was always the helpful person who would plow out his neighbors and stranger’s driveways during blizzards, volunteer to paint murals for the local fire department after 9/11 or help build playgrounds for his community. His illness prevents him from doing his favorite hobbies such as, fishing, riding his motorcycle and working around his house and yard. He has 2 wonderful children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. After many years of helping others, Okie is now the one who needs our help.

Even with insurance, Okie is facing very high expenses for co-pays and deductibles, lab fees and post-transplant medications of up to $2000 a month or more for life.

To help with the financial burden of Okie’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Northeast Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution.

Your support is critical to the overall success of Okie’s struggle. Please know that your contribution counts. On behalf of Okie and his family, we thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

Gratefully,

Kris Okerfelt, Okie’s wife
Janis Okerfelt-Gebron, Okie’s sister