Tim Walsh says: "As you may have heard, last October my friend Peggy Brown and I created a Crowdfunding campaign to help the inventor of Operation, John Spinello, pay for oral surgery he couldn't afford. Because of lots of amazing people, John recently had his first oral surgery! John's spirit and positive attitude are absolutely contagious. Despite the raw deal he struck in 1964, when he sold his patent for $(removed) and forfeited his right to royalties on Operation – which went onto sell over 45 million copies – he's not at all bitter. Instead, he focuses on the joy his game has given to so many millions of kids and families.
"A funny thing happened on the way to helping out our fellow inventor and friend: We fell in love with the guy! And we weren't the only ones. Our campaign invited people to write to John and share their stories with him. He received over 2,500 notes of thanks and encouragement. Some of the email came from nurses, doctors and surgeons. They wrote to thank John for inventing a game that inspired them to enter the medical field. John's story of validation and recognition after a 50 year wait is amazing. He learned that the game he invented has touched many more people, in many more ways, than he could have ever imagined. This is our film: Buzz Heard 'Round the World: The Inventor of Operation and the Power of Play! We're halfway through filming. Peggy and I have $(removed),000 of our own money into the production."
