A Cape Breton man who needs an oxygen tank to breathe is hoping to raise enough money to help him travel to Toronto for a new pair of lungs, but he鈥檚 far from his $40,000 goal.
DJ Timmons, 44, from Margaree Centre, N.S. was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency a few years ago. The condition, which is inherited, left him gasping for breath and unable to continue to work as a labourer.
These days, he breathes through a set of tubes struggles to leave the house -- a difficult reality for the grandfather of two.
鈥淛ust to be able to play with them and get outside and stuff, it鈥檇 be a lot better,鈥� he told CTV Atlantic.
Timmons needs a double-lung transplant, a procedure he can only receive in Toronto. The fundraiser hopes to offset costs associated with the onerous procedure, including travel and time off for his partner, Edna Chiasson, who is the household鈥檚 sole earner.
鈥淥ne time we had to call the ambulance and he was saying, 鈥楨dna, just help me.鈥� Well there was no more I could do -- I had the oxygen turned up, we just had to wait for the ambulance to come,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I felt like he was asking for my help but I couldn鈥檛 give it.鈥�
, started on Jan. 25, has already raised $3,575. Still, that鈥檚 far short of the couple鈥檚 $40,000 goal. They鈥檙e asking anyone to donate whatever they can.
The community is also stepping in to help, with a jar at a local shop collecting change for the couple.
The condition is physically taxing, Timmons says, but it鈥檚 also taking a toll on his mind.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e thinking about it all the time. It鈥檚 hard on the nerves.鈥�
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can become apparent between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms associated with the condition include wheezing, shortness of breath fatigue and unintentional weight loss.
