Blood is a source of life and something that sustains us all. But for Hasib, a 16 year old boy from Afghanistan, it is a poison that is crippling him. Born with severe Hemophilia A, a genetic disorder that affects the blood’s ability to clot, Hasib is at constant risk of internal bleeding that could leave him permanently disabled or even dead. In fact, Hasib has already lost the use of his left hand and has sustained many damaging bleeds into his joints as well as his brain. Until the country fell a year ago, he was treated with infusions of blood containing the missing clotting factor. Each unit costs $100 U.S. His treatment came to an end because his dad, who protected Americans, had to quit working and go into hiding. He is being hunted by the Taliban and has received many death threats.

Hasib’s dad worked in security for America for 6 years. He was helping our soldiers do their job. On a daily basis, he sacrificed his own safety for their security. For this, he was promised a visa to America for himself and his family. A promise yet to be fulfilled.

Hasib has many of the same interests, hopes and dreams that occupy his friends. He is a great soccer fan and his team is the FC Barcelona. His cousin has a Play Station and when he visits, they play games together. But he’s unable to have the active, typical life of a teen-age boy. He should be going to school and playing sports, instead of living in his bed, dealing with spasms of pain. This is as much a product of his disease, as a consequence of where he was born.

Some families were lucky enough to escape when the country fell last year but Hasib’s family couldn’t even take the chance because a push or shove from the crowd at the airport, much less a beating from the Taliban, could have sent him spiraling into a deadly bleed. For some people, the fall of the country has been an economic disaster, but for this family it is truly about survival.

I met Hasib’s dad a year ago over the internet, when I volunteered to help two non-profit organizations that help people escape Afghanistan and then resettle in the U.S. His case was assigned to me and I was tasked with trying to help him and his family escape. Sadly, one year later, they are still there due to agonizingly slow processing by our government.

I helped buy transfusions for Hasib last month, by sending money through WesternUnion, but this is not sustainable for me. That is why I am reaching out for help. The money raised will go to buying blood for him. If any is left, the family will use it for expenses when they can finally leave.

We don’t know when the American visas will come through, but every day is a day of high anxiety for the family, both because of the Taliban threat and Hasib’s suffering.

If you were outraged by the way we exited Afghanistan and left so many friends behind, this is something you can do. We might not be able to help everyone in the country, but we can make a difference for this one family. Even a $5 or $10 donation would be appreciated. You will have my enormous gratitude.

Please share this with anyone who might help.