Ashimali Isaev (l), and his 17-year-old son, Bahtiyar Ashimali (r), pose for a picture at the National Cardiology and Therapy Center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan May 2, 2012. Bahityar was the recipient of funds donated to assist with his surgery costs by members of the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society. "I am grateful for your generosity. This means a lot to me and my family," he said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols)
Bahityar Ashimali and his father, Ashimali Isaev, pose for a picture with members from the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society May 2, 2012. MABOS donated $1,015 to help pay for Bahityar's heart surgery at the National Cardiology and Therapy Center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols)
Meerim Kuchukeava, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing interpreter, explains a form for Ashimali Isaev, father of Bahtiyar - the 17-year-old boy who was the recipient of funds donated by the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society May 2, 2012. MABOS donated $1,015 to help pay for Bahityar's heart surgery at the National Cardiology and Therapy Center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols)
by Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
5/5/2012 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- On May 2, Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society donated $1,015 to help pay for a patient's heart surgery at the National Cardiology and Therapy Center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Bahtiyar Ashimali, the 17-year-old boy who was the recipient of the funds was extremely thankful for the donation.
"I am grateful for your generosity. This means a lot to me and my family," he said.
"I cannot put into words how grateful I was to have the opportunity to give this gift on behalf of all the men and women who have given of their time and money to help MABOS," said Master Sgt. Brad Robbins, 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron first sergeant. "It is a tremendous blessing to be the one who gets to stand there and give a gift of life to someone less fortunate than us. I am humbled by the experience and so proud of what MABOS does for the people who so graciously allow us to spend time in their country."
Robbins is deployed here from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and hopes to fund more surgeries in the future.
"I want to raise money for two more surgeries during my time here, making for a total of six for 2012," he said.
Each surgery costs approximately $560. Patients apply for humanitarian assistance and are also recommended by the doctors at the heart ward to receive donations for surgery.
Bahtiyar's father, Ashimal Isaev, expressed his thanks.
"I am appreciative of your generosity. This has helped our family more than you will ever know," he said. "It was much easier to come up with $180 for the surgery than the $1195 that was required for this particular surgery. Thank you."
The MABOS heart program was initiated in 2003 by James Carny, who lives in Bishkek and has a passion for helping Kyrgyz children. Carney established a partnership with a local surgeon, Dr. Samidin Shabraliv, who along with his staff, agreed to perform the surgeries that MABOS helps sponsor with no additional doctor's fees. He has performed 172 surgeries to date on children throughout his tenure.
