By Suzanne Roantree, News Reporter Published On: Apr 28 2014 12:07:18 AM EDT Updated On: Apr 28 2014 12:11:20 AM EDT A
Stratham family is counting its lucky stars as its 13-year-old adopted son from Ethiopia prepares for a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Behaylu Barry came to the U.S. when he was just 6 years old. A seemingly healthy child, he thrived.
But this winter doctors told his parents he needed the transplant.
Aidan and Midori Barry adopted their son seven years ago when he was just 6 years old.
He was one of six children in an Ethopian family who was surrendered by his birth parents because of the brutal hunger and poverty they faced.
The Barrys said they fell in love with Behaylu the moment they laid eyes on him.
With some adjustment to American life, Behaylu blossomed into an athletic teenager.
Butler's in February when he said he felt extremely tired and was struggling physically, the Barrys knew something was wrong.
Doctors confirmed on Feb. 14 that Behaylu had severe aplastic anemia and needed a bone marrow transplant.
Knowing Behaylu was adopted, doctors were skeptical.
They suggested finding the perfect donor match from a sibling.
"I said. 'Stop, stop. We know that he has has five siblings, so what do we do? What do we do?'" said Aidan Barry, Behaylu's adopted father.
Just two years before, the Barrys traveled with Behaylu to Africa to meet his birth family.
A quick call to a friend in Ethiopia got the ball rolling.
They were able to get a test kit to a family member in Africa.
The kit was sent back to the U.S., and the Barrys received news that they had two matches for Behaylu.
"That hope was there. I was just so happy," said Midori Barry.
The Ethiopian embassy and New Hampshire's two U.S. senators helped to expedite passports and legal documents needed for Behaylu's 16-year-old brother and 9-year-old sister to travel to the U.S.
The three were reunited last week. Behaylu said he is extremely grateful.
"Because they have never been out of Hosanna, so to go to a whole different country and continent is pretty scary.
I'm just so happy that they wanted to," Behaylu said.
On Monday, Behaylu's brother and sister will be evaluated at Boston's Children's Hospital in preparation for the bone marrow transplant, which is scheduled for May.
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