"James O'Neal" News

After decades of dealing with a disfigurement, James O'Neal no longer wanted to be the man everyone stares at. Kind donations helped him pay for reconstructive surgeries, and he let KOMO News accompany him to the operating room for the second time.

From the December deep freeze that buried us under snow to the people who inspired us with their strength of character, there were plenty of candidates for listing in the big stories of 2008 in Western Washington. Here are the 10 stories that generated the most reader interest, as measured by page views.

Blood supply is down 20 percent at the Puget Sound Blood Center, and it may soon have to import blood from other states. "The time that it takes for that blood to get here could mean the difference between life and death," said Michael Young of the center.

James O'Neal's face used to be severely distorted, overrun by a massive tumor that stretched his face like an old sweater. But after nearly 30 years, O'Neal has finally shed his tumor and his former life, which was plagued by countless stares and unimaginable challenges.

James O'Neal has waited nearly 30 years for surgery day. That's a lifetime of people staring, of being the man with half a face. But an eight-hour surgery has transformed the man so many have grown to love.

James O'Neal has waited nearly 30 years for surgery to rebuild his face. His story has inspired people all over the world and their generosity is making surgery possible. But he wants to delay that procedure and blames it on love for the Seahawks.

What began with one person shopper who wanted to help James O'Neal, who suffers from a genetic disorder that's left benign tumors on his face, will now spread to 196 Safeway stores across four states.

The Safeway checker born with Neurofibromatosis - a genetic disorder that's covered half his face with benign tumors -- got the news he's been waiting 28 years for -- he's going to get his face reconstructed.

As part of their 6th grade graduation tradition, students at Bothell's Woodmoor Elementary donate a legacy gift. This year the sixth grade class chose to give their legacy gift to one of our Problem solver recipients, James O'Neal.

What Safeway shoppers have known for years the rest of the world is figuring out. O'Neal was born with a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis and everyone who hears his story wants to help him.

A countless number of people around the world have stepped up to help give James O'Neal a new life with a new face. A genetic disease severely disfigured the face of the Woodinville man whom many call "an inspiration."

James O'Neal knows his deformity shocks people. But rather than hiding, he has proudly worked the registers at the Kingsgate Safeway for seven years. And the many friends he's made want to help him change his life in a drastic way.