FORT MYERS, Fla. - Doctors from Lee Memorial Hospital are giving a 15-year-old Haitian boy life altering surgery.

On Thursday, Alex Vilsaint underwent facial reconstruction surgery, giving him a new chance at life.

His face was disfigured because of a rare form of cancer.

The story begins 8 years ago, began eight years ago, when Dr. Keith Hussey, from the agency Hope for Haiti, discovered Alex he had a rare form of cancer in the back of his eye.

"He realized Alex's cancer was so above and beyond what is available, in terms of medical care in Haiti," said Dorothy Pullen, from Hope for Haiti.

The non-profit group, who helps people in Haiti with nutrition and health care, normally doesn't bring children into America for medical treatment, but Alex's situation was severe.

"He was ill and it was a life threatening condition that could not be treated in Haiti. If Alex had stayed there, he would die," Pullen said.

Since 2000, he underwent surgery and radiation treatments. Alex is now cancer-free, but it left him with another problem. The right side of his face is disfigured, leaving him insecure, embarrassed and shunned by friends and family. Now, this is about to change.

"It was more for his self-esteem," said Dr. Stephen Laquis, about Alex's cosmetic surgery.

For several hours Thursday morning, Dr. Laquis and Dr. Rachid Aouchiche reconstructed Alex's face.

"My role was to straighten out Alex's eye," said Dr. Aouchiche.

"What I did was elevate his right upper eye lid and build up the area around the cheek...it went great," Dr. Laquis said.

With Alex's surgery a success, doctor's say this will not only change his outward appearance, but hopefully how he feels inside as well.

"Growing up, he's going to be an adult, is to have the possibility of having or feeling good about his looks," Dr. Aouchiche said.

Alex's recovery time is expected to be three to four weeks. When he's healed, he'll go back to Haiti.