HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family facing mounting medical bills were able to strike off some of their financial concerns at a bowling fundraiser over the weekend.
Khailer Eli was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot.
In his 19 years of life, Khailer has undergone multiple procedures, including two complex open-heart surgeries, and the implantation of a Pacemaker to treat Atrioventricular block.
Khailer last underwent open-heart surgery in June 2016 to replace his pulmonary valve with a bovine (cow) valve.
However, these valves do not grow with Khailer. Now, nine years later, doctors informed his family that he will need to undergo a third major open-heart surgery.
In addition to a valve replacement, doctors confirmed Khailer will also need complex reconstruction of his pulmonary valve and pulmonary arteries to put stents in place to maintain proper blood flow after finding Khailer’s coronary arteries are located too close to the pulmonary valve.
Due to the complexity of his heart condition and the lack of specialized equipment and experienced staff, Khailer’s medical case was transferred to the Stanford Children’s Medical Center in Palo Alto, California.
Khailer is expected to be an inpatient for approximately three to four weeks, with an expedited tentative surgery date this month.
To help his parents, Sheri and Kalani Eli, cover his medical expenses, dozens took part in a bowling tournament on Sunday to raise money and make it possible for Khailer’s family to travel to California to be with him.
“It really touches the heart,” Khailer’s father Kalani said.
“His aspect in bowling also touched their hearts, so that community decided to come along and offer for this event to be put on.”
Due to his condition, Khailer cannot partake in contact sport but he has proven himself to be an impressive bowler, earning him a spot on the Leeward Bowling’s Hall of Fame.
The Eli’s have raised just over $4,500 of their $15,000 GoFundMe goal.
Anyone who wishes to support Khailer and his family can donate to their GoFundMe page here.
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