A Boston businessman is earning a reputation for making medical miracles come true. Today -- this multi-millionaire came face to face with one young boy who's alive today thanks to his generosity.
Samuel Andairaga, Heart Surgery Patient
"I think I've got my father, and another father."
Sixteen-year-old Samuel has a new lease on life, thanks to doctors at Children's Hospital and this local businessman.
Ray Tye, Philanthropist
"You're a special young man. I'm sure you'll do a lot of good in this world and Ethiopia can use all your help."
Two years ago, the teenager from Ethiopia was told that he had serious heart problems. His only chance for survival was an expensive operation in the United States.
But Samuel's story reached Ray Tye, a Boston beer distributor who started his own medical aid foundation, and soon the teen's life-saving dream became real.
Ray Tye, Philanthropist
"Thank God we were all able to help him, because without it he would have had problems, and when you see a fine young man like that, you say, ‘well it's worth it.'"
Tye's foundation helped get Samuel and his mom visas to come to America, then paid for his surgery at Children's Hospital.
Samuel Andairaga, Heart Surgery Patient
"I become happy - not scared. I become happy."
This is nothing new for the foundation -- in September -- it helped doctors in Texas separate Egyptian twins who were joined at the head.
Tye also personally paid the funeral costs for 10-year-old Trina Persad who was shot and killed by a stray bullet in Dorchester in 2002.
Ray Tye, Philanthropist
"Everyday there are new cases and we will try to help them until the money runs out. That's why we need more."
Right now, the foundation is using $2 million donated by Tye's friends on his 80th birthday, but it needs more to keep up with the requests for help.
To donate:
The Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation
Post Office Box 850376
Braintree, MA 02185-0376
(781) 356-4300
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