Abstract: A portable motorized bed lift apparatus is provided for enabling a prone patient who is disabled, handicapped, an invalid, or the like to raise himself to a sitting position with the weight of his upper body portion substantially over his hips without the benefit of outside human assistance. The lifting apparatus of the present invention includes a derrick-like assembly and a motor driven cable and pulley arrangement for operating the derrick-like structure. The derrick-like structure includes a pair of elongated runner-like leg members adapted to be positioned at least partially under a patient's bed from the foot toward the head. A base support interconnects the rear end of the leg members and vertically mounts a substantially elongated mast. A pair of angle supports further connects the leg members to the mast for support purposes.