Summer heat greatly affects thousands of elderly and chronically ill. Sadly, in extreme measures, this medically fragile population suffers from a variety of heat-related illnesses, occasionally resulting in heat-related deaths. People with respiratory or other breathing difficulties have an especially difficult time during periods of summer heat and many experience a reduced quality of life during this time. Often, those in need of air conditioning “do without” because they do not have the funds or know where to seek assistance.