WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 - Milford Man in Need of Lung Transplant Appears on CBS 'Early Show'

Milford Man in Need of Lung Transplant Appears on CBS 'Early Show'

MILFORD, Del.- A Milford man is taking his effort to raise $1 million for a double lung transplant to a national audience.

Former Marine Chuck Campbell appeared with his wife Vicki and their three children on the CBS "Early Show" on Tuesday to promote a raffle to pay for the procedure.

The 45-year-old Campbell told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith that he has COPD and his lungs only function at a 20 percent capacity. Campbell, who said he used to smoke but quit four years ago, is hooked up to an oxygen supply at all times.

He said his illness has made it difficult for him to participate in activities most people take for granted, such as the simple act of walking up steps.

Campbell said he needs approximately $550,000 for the transplant and post-operation recovery drugs. Insurance will only cover about $80,000 of the cost.

He said a co-worker at Pohanka of Salisbury came up with the idea to raffle off a Sarasota, Fla., condominium and a $100,000 Mercedes Benz SL convertible to raise money for his medical costs. Campbell said they need to sell 40,000 $50 tickets.

"It's a heck of a donation that we got," Campbell said of the raffle prizes.

To learn more about Campbell's story and to purchase a "New Lungs for Chuck" raffle ticket, log on to http://fiftydollarhouseandcar.com/. Because Campbell's time is limited, the deadline to buy a ticket is March 31, 2010 or when all the tickets are sold.