While setting up his trademark zany photo shoots for the Orlando Sentinel sports section, Bill Speros has conquered many challenges (just ask Barack Obama and John McCain).

Now Speros faces a greater challenge. The Sentinel’s deputy sports editor underwent liver transplant surgery on Nov. 28 at the Shands-University of Florida Hospital in Gainesville, and he faces a long road to recovery.

You can send Bill your get-well messages at the following Web address: http://www.shands.org/Public/message/default.asp. Select Shands at the University of Florida in the facility field. He’s located on the ninth floor.