Surgery is a go for James O'Neal

Surgery is a go for James O'Neal

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Story Published: Jun 18, 2008 at 4:29 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:52 PM PDT

By Michelle Esteban

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SEATTLE -- It's going to happen.

James O'Neal got the news he's waited 28 years to hear -- he's going to get his face reconstructed.

James was born with Neurofibromatosis - a genetic disorder that's covered half his face with benign tumors.

Every year when school was out, he had surgery. At 18 years old, he just couldn't take any more.

But nearly 30 years later, James wants to try again.

"Maybe remove the tumor so it looks better," he said.

James didn't think it was financially possible, until one of his Safeway customers turned Fairy Godmother.

Katie Knopf created a fundraising Web site for her favorite checker and called the Problem Solvers. Safeway kicked in the first $10,000. And, now with contributions to the Problem Solvers, the combined total is over $100,000.

James has waited 28 years for what UW plastic surgeon Peter Neligan told him Wednesday:

"We're gonna go ahead with the surgery."

James' tumors are embedded in his skin, muscles, fat and nerves, making for a complicated, risky procedure.

His attitude? Life is risky.

"We're going to remove a lot of the bulk of tissue," Neligan said. "(And) put the eyebrow back in the normal position."

Neligan says he'll lift James' ear and replace the tumors with skin from his chin.

"I think it's going to be a huge improvement for him," Dr. Neligan said.

James says it makes him excited that it can happen, and it's going to happen


Everybody who knows James, knows it will change his face, but never his big heart.

Surgery is tentatively scheduled for November.

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