Woman Battling Stage 4 Cancer Gets Christmas Miracle

Woman was chosen out of 1,000 applicants for the donation.

Leontyne Williamson and her family have lived in the Orlando area for generations. Battling Stage 4 Cancer, she is living in her Grandmother’s home - the same Grandmother who she cared for who also had cancer. With a history of cancer and the high costs to treat it, and a fire that happened in the home Williamson has had to let needed repairs such as electrical rewiring, plumbing, roofing and more fall to the wayside.

Collis Roofing became aware of Williamson’s situation after running a campaign to encourage those in need to apply for a free roof. While Collis Roofing donates more free roof repairs, replacements and installations than any other Florida roofing contractor each year, this was to identify people that may fall through the cracks, not known to local agencies or have no options left for them due to age, financial and health conditions

Almost 1000 people applied in just a few weeks.

The owners, Joyce and Doug Lanier, read every application, sent estimators out to check the severity of the need, and team members checked to ensure it was their only property and verify the stories.

Estimator Matthew Alston met with Williamson, who happened to live just blocks from where Collis Roofing had donated and installed almost 10 roofs in the past 3 years to Habitat for Humanity home recipients.

After meeting her, talking with the owners and looking into her story and her home, there was no doubt that Williamson had the greatest need and Williamson was chosen as one of the winners.

As the Laniers looked into the home more, Joyce decided to do more than just give her a free roof - Williamson was getting a home renovation for Christmas. Williamson is having her home power washed, cracks and chips filled in the block and around the doors, new siding, new paint and a ceiling repair. While construction is going on and Williamson was in the hospital, Joyce purchased and brought over a pre-lit Christmas tree that she personally decorated and additional Christmas decor to come home to.

The roof was completed this week using shingles donated by TAMKO, as well as some of the siding. Work will continue until the New Year to restore this multigenerational home so Williamson can continue to fight cancer with the peace of a safe home that will be restored with dignity before the next storm season.

Collis Roofing is going to continue to offer assistance and education to those who applied who may be applicable for assistance despite financial, credit issues, lack of home insurance or other conditions that will not put families at risk such as high-interest loans.

Do you know of someone in the industry who is ‘doing good deeds’ in their community? Help us catch them at it. Send news and information to info@rooferscoffeeshop.com.