Christmas came early for a man from Redding and a woman from Santa Rosa, after they received the gift of mobility from a national program aimed at helping people live life without pain.

About 109 orthopedic surgeons across the country Friday provided free joint replacements to more than 200 patients in 29 states, according to Operation Walk USA organizers, the group responsible for the program.

Janah Lopresti, 62, of Santa Rosa was one of those patients.

She said she has been living with constant pain for more than seven years, ever since her right hip started to wear out. But on Friday, Lopresti's life was about to change.

"I kind of still can't believe it's going to happen even though I'm here," said Lopresti. "It's been such a long haul. I am completely not worried."

A surgical team at Valley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton, led by Dr. Aaron Salyapongse, took part in Operation Walk USA.

"Man, she's got a lot of arthritis you can see the big bone spurs in here," he said Friday. "No cartilage left on the head, so she's a perfect candidate for this."

The program started two years ago in the United States when hospitals across the country began volunteering their time to provide hip and knee replacement surgeries for people such as Lopresti, who don't qualify for government assistance, or don't have health insurance.

"We first met Lopresti about three weeks ago when she could barely move," said Salyapongse.

But thanks to Operation Walk, Lopresti is having her hip replaced for free.

And she's not the only one.

Leo Graham, 59, of Redding is about to receive a new right knee.

He said he's been living with chronic pain for the past 10 years.

"I'm ecstatic," he said. "I don't know that I've absorbed it all yet, it's going to change my whole life, personally, and I'm just so grateful for it."

When Graham lost his job three years ago, he also lost his health insurance..

Graham said his daughter heard about Operation Walk USA and immediately signed him up.

"I feel real fortunate to be here," he said. "I don't know what's it's going to be like to have a good knee again. It's just going to be great."

Dr. Salyapongse said each surgery went well and lasted only about 45 minutes.

He said he appreciates having the chance to restore mobility and help people live without pain so they can resume active, productive lives, which is what the program is all about.

Lopresti is proof that it can change lives, as she tried to take her first steps less than eight hours after surgery.