John Spinello, inventor of the game Operation in the 1960s, can’t afford his own operation.
Spinello’s friends, Tim Walsh and Peggy Brown,
launched a fundraiser on Crowdrise.com hoping to raise $25,000 for Spinello’s medical care.
Spinello sold his game to a toy invention company for $500, and that’s all he ever was paid for the popular game, the Crowdrise page says.
“We launched this Crowdrise fundraiser to call on anyone who has ever played and loved Operation to send John a note and maybe, a monetary gift of appreciation,” the call to action says.
It includes a YouTube video detailing Spinello’s $500 deal and his present financial and medical situation.
Spinello told The Huffington Post he isn’t bitter and doesn’t want to focus on the healthcare crisis.
"Look, everyone needs medical care," he told the Huffington Post. "I prefer not to dwell on that aspect and focus more on the joy that the game has brought to so many over the years."
Along with the Crowdrise site, fans can contribute on www.iloveoperation.com, where they can purchase autographed copies of the game, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.
Spinello also hopes to raise an additional $35,000 in a December auction of his original game prototype, The Huffington Post said.
Twitter users posted mixed reactions.
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