Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Goal

James was born with Neurofibromatosis. As a child he had surgery pretty much every year to keep up with the growths on his face. His dad would take the family on a summer vacation after his surgeries so he could recover and have fun. When he turned 18 he didn't have insurance to cover more surgeries. The tumors have stopped growing now and he would love to have the last procedures done. He was told his insurance company won't cover it because he was born with it, sort of a preexisting condition. We will be working with insurance advocates on that one, but in the mean time we are working toward a goal of $50,000 to cover the cost of treatment and recovery. James is very excited that we have taken this project on but I know he's a little leery of it actually happening. I am committed to doing everything I can to get him into the recovery room.

43 comments:

Rebekah said...

We moved from Kirkland about 9 months ago and received a linke to this Blog! GOOD FOR YOU FOR HELPING HIM! James is one of the most helpful people I have run into in life, he is so sincere! I always made a point of going through his line!
I will forward this link to everyone, I sure hope it helps. Maybe if we send to some vascular surgeons or they may consider doing it for cost or free. (?)
THANKS!

JillHops said...

James is our favorite person at Safeway. He's personally one of my hero's, but don't tell him. I'm constantly impressed with his customer service skills and cheerful, upbeat attitude. From our nine year old: "James is a nice man and thoughtful. He treats us with respect." I couldn't have said it better. Thanks James, and God's best!

Unknown said...

I think this is wonderful what you are doing for this great man. Could you post how far you are toward your goal? I would like to see the progress. Also, there is a great website called "fundable.com" that you could try posting his story to. It might help with the fundraising.

Unknown said...

I just saw james' story on CNN headline news

Alan Feiertag said...

Hi Katie,

Please post a mailing address for donations to the Friends of James O' Neil Fundraising.

Thank you
Alan Feiertag

Alan Feiertag said...

Hi Katie, Please state a simple mailing address to send checks or money orders to for helping the Friends of James O'Neil Fundraising. Do you know if all Bank of America branches in all states are aware of this program and will accept donations.

Thank You
AF from Florida

Rachel said...

I don't have a Bank of America near me. I would love to donate though. I live in Connecticut and saw a story about James on the CNN website. Have you considered accepting donations via PayPal? I'm pretty sure they allow you to create accounts for donations, which is probably free of charge. I frequently donate to a medical clinic in Haiti using PayPal, which is linked to their website. Please let me know where I can send a check.

Thank you,
Rachel

Willow said...
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Miss GA Day said...

PLEASE Katie, we need more info, my B of A did not know what I was talking about, open a PO box, get a paypal account, people want to donate, CNN is getting the word out, but you MUST give us more infomation.

Scott Malo said...

What a great story. Most people wouldn't have the courage, including myself. I wish I had his heart. Will pass along to as many as I know. I live in Massachusetts.

Stephanie said...

Katie, now that this has been on CNN, you are going to be bombarded! Yay! James will probably get to have his surgery much faster than he thinks :)

I am also anxious to know how I can donate from here in Nashville.

Looking forward to keeping up with this story. Good luck in the fundraising and good luck to James and his future surgery!

Karl Lherisson said...

Just saw the CNN story as well. Please either providing mailing address and whom to write check to or please provide Paypal information and I am sure you will reach your goal in no time.

Keri Lyn @ She Saved said...

Katie ~
this is just wonderful what you are doing...I am going to post a link to you on my blog, my readers are awesome people and I know they will be moved. Please get a paypal link/account set up asap ~ I know you will move mountains for James.
I think there is a paypal button that you can use specifically for donations. God Bless!! Keri Lyn

Unknown said...

Hey, just saw the CNN story and have a group of friends here in Canada who would like to contribute. If you have a paypal account, post it and I will check back soon. Thanks so much for doing such a good thing for someone.

JMC said...

Thank you for creating such a positive website. I do not know James but I'm happy to see his attitude on display on that CNN piece. I hope his surgery goes well.

You need to open a paypal account and link it to your B&A account, then all paypal contributions will go directly into B&A. Also, if I'm not mistaken, if you post the B&A account number we can just traditionally mail a check directly to any B&A branch and reference the account # and it'll go right in.

Unknown said...

Hello Katie - Saw the news article on CNN today. My name is Mark and I am an insurance agent in Minnesota. There may be a simple insurance solution to the financial need for James to get his surgery that may be available in the state of Washington. When you have a moment why don't you give me a quick phone call and I will talk with you about how you can see if this may be applicable to solve Jame's need. I will explain what I know that could be very helpful. I can be reached at 952-920-6627 days, evenings, and weekends.

Skarah said...

To donate online, go to the local news website... KOMOTV.com

Patty said...

I saw James picture on CNN.com and said, "Thats Jimmy O'Neal!" I remember him from school in Carnation. He was always a sweet, quiet boy, his sister was always sweet too. Thank you for an opportunity to help. I'm glad he has been able to surround himself with people that care about him.

Terry said...
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RtThinkingMom said...

I am so thankful to hear James story and be able to spread the word to help him with medical costs. This is how our country should be...people doing unto others as they would have done unto themselves...and not looking for the government, corporation or wealthy person to foot the bill. Let's all give as we are able so James O'Neal can get the surgery he needs.

Terry said...

Here is the website that was established by KOMO (www.komotv.com), a local Seattle TV station to accept donations.

https://paytrace.com/cart/donate.pay?ID=1528&MID=27250021602801&PID=Donation

Wired1 said...

DONATIONS can be made through the local media: http://www.komonews.com/news/19339104.html

I used to shop there and remember James and this story brings tears to my eyes.

Unknown said...

Words can not express how this story touched me. Between tears of joy for James I am trying to get this post out ; )

I agree with the others regarding PayPal.

I would also like to offer a free website for James as well as any other Internet related services you might need.

You can reach me at 208-286-8076 or email tdisraeli@traffictrackerinfo.com

Todd Disraeli

500 East 11th Tenants Association said...

i went to the KOMO page and it wasn't setup explicity for james. i'd rather donate to a site/paypal that katie is getting payments from directly.

please keep me posted on this site getting a simple paypal payment option. it's very easy to put something like this on.

i'd like to donate when a payment option is available.

Unknown said...

Katie - Please contact me ASAP so I can help you out.

Todd 208-286-8076
tdisraeli@traffictrackerinfo.com

Budah said...

Katie,
Many of you may not know this but James was involved in local Stock Car racing for many many years here in the NW and well he is still loved by all of us out here, and we want to help.
Please email me at budah233@aol.com
We have a lot of great ideas to help raise money for James at local race tracks.
Thanks,
Darren Scriver
DS Racing

teresaj said...

Have just been sent this story from a friend of mine in the States. Just want you to know James that you have prayers being said for you in the UK. Hope you get the money and the surgery goes ahead. Keep us posted please, it would be good to know how you get on.

Unknown said...

Ah, the internet is such a good thing. Just read the CNN headline story about this great man. What an inspiration. I can only make a small donation but that's not going to hold me back. Lots of "littles" make a BIG.
Yes, please have more options for donating available. There are many people willing to help, and many ways in which they can. PayPal was a great suggestion.

KelBel said...

I just saw this and think it is amazing that you are doing such a wonderful thing. James seems like a wonderful person and it's so refreshing to know that he has people in his community that care so much. I noticed that KOMO news has a link to donate online... maybe you should include that as a link on your homepage?

Agor the Admin said...

Where can you donate? I can't find how to do it on your site. Do you have PayPal? Or an address to send to? I found you after the CNN story and would love to donate, but don't know how.

Budah said...

I hope this does not double post but I did not see my last post.
Katie please contact me asap at budah233@aol.com or Todd Disarelli.
Lots of cool things happening already from the racing community but I need to talk to you ASAP!
The great people at Pacific Raceways have a BIG race coming up on June 7th and are offering a lot of help for James.
Thanks,
Darren

KPIZME said...

Thank you so much for doing this for James. He seems like an amazing person. I too have Neurofibromatosis, though I must admit (shamefully) to much less severity than James. "NF" is a largely unknown disease but not all that uncommon. Check out http://www.ctf.org if you would like to know more, and thank you again for doing such a heartwarming thing for another person.

Unknown said...

Kpizme - I have already reserved all domain names for James and built a temp website with a PayPal donation button. I will not post the url (web address) until I hear from Katie (I am still waiting).

Any additional proceeds that are collected I will gladly donate to CTF.

I will update my posts to Katie’s blog after I speak with her.

PS – Darren and I have been communicating and he has done an amazing job securing donations and participation from within the racing community.

PSS – Katie, thanks to you James will be there before you know it.

Thom said...

Kudos to your efforts. I realize that websites might not be your forte; however, the world is watching about this on CNN today. You should update the site. Have a location for donations on the site as well. Tell people where to send the money?

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I wanted to hold off on posting this link until I spoke to Katie first but I am afraid that James is loosing out on donations -http://www.friendsofjamesoneal.com/

Budah said...

KRKO 1380am out of Everett Washington has a local Racing talk show every Thursday night from 8pm to 10pm.
The Host called me awhile ago and asked me to come on and talk about James and what we can do for him.
Awesome news here folks, the more people that hear about James, the quicker we can raise the money he needs!!!!

Anonymous said...

this is fantastic! but some of the comments have me scratching my head. instead of approaching the surgeon and asking for free work, maybe you should find a kind-hearted insurance company to donate some insurance to this man -- oh wait, that's an oxymoron!!

Anonymous said...

I don't know James but from what I have read, he deserves this chance and I'm so very happy to help.
Best of luck James!!
All my blessings,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Does he have faith in God and our Lord Jesus? Then have him watch the Florida Healing Revival in Lakeland, FL where the disfigured are being completely made whole and scars are being removed, the deaf are hearing and the blind are seeing, even a man with a glass eye is starting to see thru the glass eye. The miracles are immense and it's on DirecTV channel 365 every night @ 8pm est live via God TV. You can see it on the webstream as well, http://www.god.tv or http://www.freshfire.ca
Come believing God for the supernatural and leave a changed man! MSNBC has given coverage to the revival as well, http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/29/1075189.aspx God Bless you. Gary Hodi of Florida

Anonymous said...

That MSNBC story is here regarding the healing revival in Florida... http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/29/1075189.aspx The minister is Todd Bentley from Canada.
Bentley claims that God has used him to supernaturally heal hundreds of people of diseases ranging from glaucoma to diabetes to even cancer. How to explain it?

Bentley said in an interview that he doesn't know exactly why now, why him, why Lakeland, and he does not promise that everyone who comes to him will be healed. But he does maintain a pragmatic posture toward prayer.

"I say, you have nothing to lose but your sickness. If the doctors can't help you, why wouldn't you give God a chance?"

Gary

Anonymous said...

It keeps getting cut off, so I'll post the web address broken in two...
http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.
com/archive/2008/05/29/1075189.aspx

GAry

tiffany said...

hi my name is tiffany and I just finished watching the documentary on james and was blown way. My cousin and him look so very similar but nothing has really been done. It has gotten worse over the years. The pictures of James growing up were identical to my cousin Chris growing up. I am absolutly flabergasted how similar this is and never seen a case so identical to my cousin. My cousin has had one sergery growing up, as far as I know some tissue was removed about 15 years ago, after seeing James and what the docyors did it is amazing how far things have came. My cousin is 27 years old and when he reaches james's age I dont think you would be able to tell them apart. I would love to get incontact with james! this story is such and inspiration to me and i know with the help of james i can do the same with my cousin. my cousins outlook on it is he was born with it and we will deal with it. I truly think james will be such and inspiration to my cousin my email is
tiffany_koerner13@hotmail.com
please help me guys get incontact directly with James. thanks