Brotherly Love: Patient Gives Bread Of Life

WILLINGBORO, NJ (CBS) -- A Willingboro woman says after she got devastating news, she found her mission -- helping others who are going through the same thing she did.

Watching Lillian Daniels entertain a crowd at a luncheon, you can see she is full of life and energy. It's hard to believe that eight years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"At first, it hit me like a ton of bricks," she said.

But not one to be knocked down, Lillian fought back, going through chemo and a mastectomy. During treatment, she says she was struck again, but this time with an idea.

"I got hit with a $7,000 bill after we had insurance," she said. "It hit me -- I wanted to do something to help others."

Help others who could not afford their medical bills. She collected wheelchairs, canes, even walkers. She started a foundation called Bread of Life. Soon letters started pouring in. The need kept growing.

"I said, 'You know what? I gotta have a fundraiser,'" she said.

To date, Bread of Life has given away $10,300 and helped dozens of people like Gerald Mills of Ardmore. Mills recently had a kidney transplant. Just one of his prescriptions is $1200 for 30 pills.

Bread of Life is helping pay for his medication.

Gerald says Lillian's giving spirit has changed him.

"I have a spirit of, 'What can I do to help others?'" he said.

This time it might be Lillian who needs help. The cancer has returned. But Lillian says it's not going to stop her. She's got work to do.

"As long as I'm here on this earth, I'm going to do that purpose, and that purpose is to give back," she said.

Lillian is back in treatment and feeling good.

LINK:
Bread of Life Foundation
www.breadoflifeld.com

Reported By: Dave Huddleston, CBS 3