Save Michael's Eyes

Michael has spent his entire life, helping others, and now he's the one who needs the help. Please read his story, and give him the assistance, he so desperately needs.
Michael is a Colorado native that has lived an amazing life. A true renaissance man who's done everything from working on the Colorado railroads, to makeup artist/stylist for the Miss Colorado Pageants. An accomplished hunter, fisher, construction savvy man, who's also been a hair stylist/makeup artist for 34 years!  Now that's a renaissance man!
Rarely has he worked only one job, as he's always finding ways to help others, and improve lives. He's also added on the workload to do more good for those around him. Because he's the kind of man that would give away his last dollar for a stranger in need, let alone what he'd do, and has done, for those he loves.
The beautiful kids in the picture above, are his adopted grandkids, and he's done and meant so much to them, to us. My family was in a rough stop when I first met Michael, and we became fast friends. He always insisted on helping, and if you'd say no to his generosity, he find his sneaky, funny ways to help anyway. Because even in the worst of times, he could always make us laugh, and save the day. He became family, very quickly. And as my kids don't have any biological grandparents around, he easily took the role. It was never planned, or talked about, it just was. We all needed each other, and a little more true family, in our lives.
I have watched this man, who's going to be 65 in a few months, work 3 and 4 jobs at a time, just to turn and help people with all his hard earned money, and not get a single thing for himself. He lives on the bare minimum, only paying his bills, and constantly forgetting to treat himself, because he's too busy treating everyone else.
Now, several months ago, after multiple bouts of problematic iritis (a form of uveitis) he noticed a dramatic decrease in vision, in his right eye. When he had this checked, it was found he also had a fast growing cataract, which had already caused a 50% loss of vision, in that eye, and another beginning to develop, in the left.
His full time job as a stylist and makeup artists, is obviously very dependant on his own vision, but it broke my heart to watch him suddenly have to hold his phone inches from his face, ask for help reading basic script, to having to cease some activities, completely, in such a drastically short time.  Not only is his way of making a living dependant on his vision, but his much deserved and rare quality of life, too.
It's very unlikely he'll be able to retire anytime soon, but this man, so much so, deserves a chance to see the future he's helped build, for so many and to enjoy a chance, from people like myself, to repay his kindness and give him the life he deserves. One filled with an adoring family, adventures, and ceaseless beauty.
He needs the surgery for the cataracts, in both eyes, as soon as possible. The cost is $6,000 per eye, and with follow up, tests etc. adding up to about $500. Bringing the total to $12,500. Every penny is for the procedures, only. 
I am truly desperate to help him, I can't stand to see him lose anymore. Please, please help us get him this surgery, the only thing I've ever heard him say he needed. (Other than hugs from all of us, that is)
Help me show him, that there are other giving souls out there, and give him the surprise of a lifetime. Let him see, and let him see the beauty out there. Thank you, thank you, for taking the time to read this.