MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Seven-thousand miles from his home in Afghanistan, nine-year-old Khai Hayat plays Wii with the two boys he considers his brothers. But life in America is not all fun and games.
In June, Khai was among 35 Afghani children who came to North Carolina for medical treatment through the Lake Norman-based "Solace for the Children".
Each night, Aaron and Heather Ayris give Khai a chelation drug to bring down extremely high iron levels caused by years of blood transfusions.
It's a battle with a blood disease that has already killed three of Khai’s 10 brothers and sisters.
Khai has beta thalassemia major. It's a genetic disorder where your blood does not have healthy hemoglobin,” said Heather Ayris.
Her husband Aaron said, "Him being here put a lot of things into perspective, very quickly, when we realized how severe his condition was because we have two very healthy children."
What was expected to be a six-week visit has turned into five months. Khai has settled into life in America, entering third grade and learning English.
"He's a beautiful boy”, said Heather. “You can't help but love him the second that you see him. He's a wonderful child."
Doctors say Khai will ultimately need a bone marrow transplant to live. His brothers and sisters in Afghanistan are being tested as possible matches, but it will cost an estimated 250-thousand-dollars.
Khai does not have insurance and his American father, Aaron, has been out of work for the past year. "And we knew the second we were told his situation was life threatening that we would do what we needed to do to save him”, said Heather.
During this season of hope, Khai’s Christian family will continue caring for their Muslim boy, hoping for a miracle.
Heather said, "This is about love and it's not about religion and it's not about political views. It's not about anything like that. It's about doing what's right.”
Donations for the medical care of Khai Hayat can be made through solaceforthechildren.org
