NORTH OGDEN -- Today, the Dye family is giving thanks for the promise of a healthy year after a good deed by a neighbor and his employer.
Kyler Dye, son of Troy and Melinda Dye, of 1775 North, has spent much of his six years visiting the doctor for shots and tests just to help him breathe. He suffers from asthma that is triggered by any kind of pollen, dust mites or mold.
Neighbor and good friend Kory Holker knows of Kyler's plight and was moved to take action after a particularly serious attack this fall that required surgery.
Kyler's tonsils and adenoids were removed in October and he's now going through immunotherapy where he gets at least two shots a week to ease the allergies that trigger his asthma and wheezing.
"When I heard they had to pull his tonsils and adenoids, I knew it had to be serious and we needed to do something," Holker said.
Holker works for Lee's Heating and Air and knows his company often helps families that need very clean air and can't afford the air-cleaning system called Accuclean. The system cleans the air and prevents allergens and dust mites from getting into the air. It has also been proven to prevent the spread of Type A influenza because of the clean air it provides.
He approached company owner Tony Oakman with the idea to give one of the systems to the Dye family.
Oakman jumped at the chance to help, and Wednesday morning the $2,500 system was installed and attached to the furnace.
The family of five was thrilled to learn they would get the new system.
"I thought it was amazing that a company would offer its services just to help a member of the community," Troy Dye said. "They did more then just put up a sign, they actually got to know us."
Kyler's mom can't wait to see the changes it will bring to both her and her son. Doctors have told Melinda Dye not to open windows, and she is very careful to keep the house clean and dusted all the time to help her son.
She is hoping he may have a more comfortable lifestyle and a place to go where he can breathe easier.
"He is an active boy and wants to go and play and do things, and it will be nice to have some more freedom," she said, describing the difference made by having clean air in their home.
Oakman said his company partners with the maker of the Accuclean system, American Standard, to give away about three systems a year.
He said it's great advertising for his company, but he also likes to see the changes it can make in people's lives.
He said it's not just an advantage for people with allergies or asthma, but it cuts down on the dust in the air and thus makes less housework.
That the system works year-round is a plus for Melinda, because the bulk of Kyler's problems occur in the spring when the highest amount of pollen is in the air.
"I can't wait to see the difference," she said, as she hugged her son. As she explained to him what was going on, he got very excited at the idea that he might be able to breathe more easily.
The family is already using the system and expects to have very clean air in the next three days.
"It will be a really good thing," Melinda said with a smile.
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