We first introduced you to Chris Bowman in 2005. Since then he's had a tumor growing all over his body. He's fundraised, been to see specialists in the states, and won the sympathy of many Belizeans who feel his pain.
Now, the 24 year old is getting his best shot at a normal life. Through the work of volunteers Emilio Zabaneh and Yvonne Moore, they've found a hospital in Oklahoma, which will perform a 65 thousand US dollar procedure called A-V-M-S for free. That will cut off the all-consuming tumor at its root. It's a new surgery and today when we met him at the airport, Chris was upbeat and optimistic:….
Chris Bowman
"I am 100% happy and I just have to get it over with, it's about time because it has been 13 years since I am suffering with this. I have to get it over with no matter what even if I have to go through therapy, operation, bring it on, I don't care."
Emilio Zabaneh
"Well the surgery on Tuesday happens in the state of Oklahoma in the US and his tumor will be nip at the source and so the blood will not be able to feed it anymore, that's what going to happen."
Yvonne Moore
"We found a charitable organization that will cover all expenses, the hospital and the specialist expenses and there will be no need for us to do any fundraising, all the cost will be covered, not unless at a later stage we need to get further treatment for Chris."
Chris Bowman
"I am telling you that God answered my prayers. I just feel good right now. I just feel good."
Yvonne Moore
"It's just what we've been waiting for, for so many months. Finally getting him the help that he really needs to become a useful productive person. He had been so demoralize by this illness, he became so dependent on everyone. Now he has hope."
Emilio Zabaneh
"To me it's a miracle. I'm watching Chris go today and I just am very thankful for everybody that is involve. I am very thankful for that hospital for taking on his case and I am just thankful to God that he brought everybody together. He has made a network of people that were never connected before through Chris. So I want to see him walk and I just want to see him get better."
Chris Bowman
"I know I will come back walking again. When these guys see me coming off of American Airlines in May walking, I will feel good and I will jump for joy. This will be a big testimony to everybody."
The surgery will be performed on TUESDAY and he will be there for three weeks. Some proceeds were raised when it was first thought that they'd have to pay for the procedure, but now that money will be used to pay for plastic surgery that he will be needed when the tumor is - in a manner of speaking - deflated.
His trip is sponsored by American airlines and he is accompanied to Oklahoma by a Christian missionary. He will also receive a warm reception in Fort Worth, Texas where a welcoming event is planned for him.
