Idaho man with massive and painful face tumor raises more than $50,000 in 24 hours after he was denied disability payments

  • Lucas McCulley, 22, from Idaho, was born with disease known as lymphangioma 
  • Results in rare, benign tumour in the neck or head which can obstruct breathing
  • He underwent 24 surgeries before age ten, has been denied disability payments
  •  'I'm in pain from the moment I wake up and right until I go to sleep,' Lucas says

By Jay Akbar For Mailonline

Published: 16:29 BST, 10 August 2017 | Updated: 16:29 BST, 10 August 2017

An Idaho man who desperately sought help to cover the costs of an operation has raised more than $55,000.

With nowhere else to turn, Lucas McCulley, 22, turned to the online community so he could finally treat the rare and painful growth on his face.

McCulley, from Nampa, was born with his lymphangioma, a rare but benign form of tumor in the neck or head which can obstruct a person's breathing.

He underwent 24 surgeries before he was ten and has now been denied disability payments.

'I'm in pain from the moment I wake up and right until I go to sleep,' he told KTVB.

Lucas McCulley (pictured), from Nampa, was born with his lymphangioma, a rare but benign form of tumor in the neck or head which can obstruct a person's breathing

Lucas McCulley (pictured), from Nampa, was born with his lymphangioma, a rare but benign form of tumor in the neck or head which can obstruct a person's breathing

'That's their problem, you can't prove pain, anybody can say they are in a bunch of pain but can't prove it. They said that my vision is fine, I'm good enough to go work in the back of a place.'

McCulley, who shared photos of his tumor on his GoFundMe page, thanked those who donated for their extraordinary kindness.

His story has attracted widespread media attention with TV show, the Doctors, interested in having him on, KTVB reported.

But he has opted to contact his local doctor first to find out exactly how much the procedure would cost - then keep his fans updated.

'Everybody that has donated deserves to know what happens, when they contribute and help they deserve to know how the story goes and how the story ends,' he said. 

Lucas underwent 24 surgeries before he was ten and has now been denied disability payments

Lucas underwent 24 surgeries before he was ten and has now been denied disability payments