>>> THE JOY IN 2-YEAR-OLD MELANIA DEFIED BOTH CANCER AND WAR. BUT IF SHE WAS TO LIVE HER
FAMILY HAD TO ESCAPE UKRAINE. AS MISSILES FLEW AND DOCTORS RUSHED THE SICKEST CHILDREN UNDERGROUND, A RENOWNED AMERICAN
HOSPITAL AND 21 COUNTRIES IMPROVISED A FLIGHT TO SAFETY CALLED THE CONVOY OF LIFE. >>> LITIGATION FUNDING IS A NEW
TYPE OF INVESTMENT THAT'S BECOME A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY. >> SO THESE ARE ALL LAWYERS? >> INDEED THEY ARE.
>> Reporter: IN ESSENCE, INVESTORS BET ON THE OUTCOME OF LARGE LAWSUITS THE WAY TRADERS BET ON STOCKS.
HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RIGHT? >> WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME AND WRONG ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME.
>> WOW. >> Reporter: THE PROBLEM IS THIS MARKET IS EXPLODING WITH NEARLY NO RULES OR OVERSIGHT.
>>> DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? WELL, "60 MINUTES" TRAVELED TO THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES IN SOUTHERN FRANCE WHERE
70 MEDICAL MIRACLES HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OVER 160 YEARS. AND TONIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A
MIRACLE STORY AND FROM THE RENOWNED DOCTORS AND RESEARCHERS WHO INVESTIGATED IT. >> I'M LESLEY STAHL.
>> I'M BILL WHITAKER. >> I'M ANDERSON COOPER. >> I'M SHARYN ALFONSI. >> I'M JON WERTHEIM.
>> I'M SCOTT PELLEY. THOSE STORIES AND MORE >>> HALF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ARE WITHOUT POWER AS LOW
TEMPERATURES DROP INTO THE 20s. RUSSIA IS ATTACKING CIVILIAN UTILITIES WITH NEW WAVES OF MISSILES IN RELENTLESS ASSAULTS
THAT THE UNITED NATIONS CALLS WAR CRIMES. EVEN BEFORE RUSSIA'S INVASION LAST FEBRUARY, MORE THAN A
THOUSAND UKRAINIAN CHILDREN WERE ALREADY AT WAR. THEY WERE FIGHTING CANCER. RUSSIAN ATTACKS ON HOSPITALS PUT
THESE FRAGILE CHILDREN IN IMMEDIATE DANGER. THE FIRST LADY OF UKRAINE ASKED THE WORLD FOR HELP AND A
RENOWNED AMERICAN HOSPITAL AND 21 COUNTRIES ANSWERED THE CALL. WHAT FOLLOWED WAS AN IMPROVISED FLIGHT TO SAFETY THAT UKRAINE
CALLED THE CONVOY OF LIFE. THE JOY IN 2-YEAR-OLD MELANIA DEFIED BOTH CANCER AND WAR. BUT IF SHE WAS TO LIVE, HER
FAMILY HAD TO ESCAPE UKRAINE. IN FEBRUARY, HER MOTHER JOINED THE JAM OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES STRUGGLING TO CROSS INTO POLAND.
PEOPLE WERE WALKING FOR MILES SHE TOLD US, LEAVING THEIR CARS AND BELONGINGS BEHIND. THEY WOULD ONLY TAKE WITH THEM
THEIR MOST PRECIOUS ONES, THEIR CHILDREN AND PETS. MY HEART WAS TEARING APART. AT THE BORDER HER DESPERATION
ROSE WITH THE TEMPERATURE OF MELANIA'S CANCER DRUG SHE WAS CARRYING. IT HAD TO BE REFRIGERATED.
BUT NOW THEY WERE TRAPPED. AFTER WAITING IN LINE AT THE BORDER FOR OVER 24 HOURS, AND IT WOULD GET WARMER DURING THE DAY,
I HAD NO STORAGE FOR THE MEDICATION. AND THAT'S WHEN I WOULD BECOME DESPERATE.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. HOW TO HAVE HOPE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MY CHILD. MOTHERS ACROSS UKRAINE WERE
LOSING HOPE FOR THEIR SICK CHILDREN. THIS WAS THE SCENE IN THE CAPITAL KYIV OUTSIDE THE WINDOW
OF THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. THIS DOCTOR TOLD US AS THE MISSILES FLEW SHE RUSHED PATIENTS TO THE BASEMENT, MANY
ON CHEMOTHERAPY. ALL OF THE PATIENTS WERE VERY SICK, SHE TOLD US. BEING MOVED TO THE BASEMENT
DEFINITELY DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD TO THEIR HEALTH. THE DOCTOR SPECIALIZES IN EYE CANCER AND IN THE TREATMENT ROOM
THEY DISPLAYED THEIR RAGE. WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK DESPITE THE WAR. AND WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS WAR
WITH RUSSIAN SOLDIERS AND KILL CANCER. MAYBE THEY DIDN'T NEED THE SIGN. THE DOCTOR'S LOOK SAID IT ALL.
SHE TOLD US, THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON THE HOSPITAL SUPPLIES, SUCH BASIC SUPPLIES AS BLOOD, FOR EXAMPLE.
YOU CAN'T DELAY AN OPERATION FOR AN ONCOLOGY PATIENT FOR A WEEK OR TWO. YOU CAN'T STOP THEIR TREATMENT
BECAUSE TIMING IS CRUCIAL. IF YOU DELAY CHEMOTHERAPY FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN YOU'VE LOST SOME PERCENTAGE OF THEIR CHANCE TO
SURVIVE. THE PLIGHT OF DESPERATE CHILDREN TOUCHED THE FIRST LADY OF UKRAINE.
WE MET IN KYIV IN SEPTEMBER. EL GRANT BUT WEARY, SHE SEEMED TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF 44 MILLION UKRAINIANS.
KIDS WITH CANCER WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO FIND HER EMPATHY. >> HOW DID YOU WORK WITH OTHER COUNTRIES TO EVACUATE THESE
CANCER PATIENTS? >> ON MY LEVEL, I CAN SPEAK WITH THE FIRST LADIES. FOR THIS CONVOY TO WORK THEY
NEEDED TO SET UP THE SYSTEM IN THEIR COUNTRIES, MAKING SURE THAT PHYSICIANS AND HOSPITALS IN THEIR COUNTRY WOULD ACCEPT THE
CHILDREN FOR TREATMENT. JILL BIDEN RESPONDED FOR THE UNITED STATES. BRIGITTE MACRON FOR FRANCE.
POLAND, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY HELPED ACTIVATE CHARITIES AND MEDICAL SOCIETIES. WE HAD A BIG TEAM.
EVERYONE HELPING EACH OTHER. AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. THAT TEAM LIKELY SAVED THE LIFE OF 17-YEAR-OLD YASMINE, WHO
IMPRESSED US WITH THE CREATIVITY, PERSONALITY, AND LOVE OF LIFE THAT ARE RICH IN THOSE WHO KNOW THEY CAN LOSE
THEM. IN FEBRUARY, DOCTORS ORDERED HER INTO CHEMOTHERAPY TO SAVE HER LEG FROM BONE CANCER.
BUT BEFORE THAT HAPPENED, RUSSIA INVADED. IN MARCH, SHE JOINED THE CONVOY OF LIFE.
PATIENTS THROUGHOUT UKRAINE TOOK BUSES AND TRAINS TO A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN LVIV NEAR POLAND. THEY CROSSED THE BORDER WHERE
THEY BOARDED A MEDICAL TRAIN. THE ENTIRE ROUTE COULD TAKE DAYS OR WEEKS BUT THROUGHOUT THE EXHAUSTING JOURNEY AT LEAST SHE
HAD HER MOTHER TO LEAN ON. WHEN WE SEE YOU ON THE TRAIN, YOU ARE MOVING INTO THE UNKNOWN IN THAT MOMENT.
YES, SHE TOLD US. ON THAT JOURNEY WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COUNTRY ON THE DESTINATION LIST WE WOULD END UP IN.
YOU'RE ON THE TRAIN HOPING FOR THE BEST, TRUSTING DOCTORS, HOPING IT WILL ALL BE FINE, BUT AS YOU SAID, YOU'RE MOVING INTO
THE UNKNOWN. WHERE WILL I BE TOMORROW? THE ANSWER TURNED OUT TO BE THIS IMPROVISED TRIAGE CENTER IN
POLAND, SET UP BY AN AMERICAN HOSPITAL, ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
NAMED FOR THE PATRON SAINT OF HOPELESS CAUSES. >> THERE ARE PATIENTS WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET SICK THAN
OTHERS AND SO WE WANT TO IDENTIFY THOSE PATIENTS SO WE CAN PAY ATTENTION TO THEM WHEN THEY GET HERE.
>> Reporter: THAT IS A DOCTOR FROM ST. JUDE WHO HELPED ORGANIZE THE TRIAGE CENTER IN AN EMPTY HOTEL IN THE POLISH
COUNTRY SIDE. >> THE CHILDREN WOULD GET ESCORTED FROM LVIV TO THE BORDER SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT IN
LINE AND THEN THEY WOULD CROSS THE BORDER INTO POLAND. THE CHILDREN WHO WERE SICK WOULD GO STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL WITH
AN AMBULANCE, SOMETIMES A HELICOPTER. THE ONES THAT WERE STABLE WOULD TAKE THE REALLY IMPRESSIVE
MEDICAL TRAIN THAT HAD MEDICAL STAFF. THEY HAD AN ICU AND A SURGICAL THEATRE.
THEY WOULD TAKE THIS TRAIN TO A CITY CLOSE TO WHERE OUR UNICORN CLINIC WAS. >> Reporter: THE UNICORN CLINIC
WAS THE NAME THEY GAVE TO THE HOTEL THAT COULD HOLD 300 REFUGEES -- PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
MEDICAL RECORDS WERE TRANSLATED AND HOSPITALS WERE FOUND FOR TREATMENT AT NO CHARGE IN 21 WELCOMING COUNTRIES.
>> I SUSPECT YOU'D NEVER HEARD OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. >> I JUST KNEW THERE WAS SUCH A PLACE, BUT NOT MUCH ELSE.
IN MARCH, YASMINE ARRIVED IN MEMPHIS FOR TREATMENT AT ST. JUDE. WHAT ARE THE DOCTORS TELLING YOU
NOW? I HAVE A FEW ROUNDS OF CHEMOTHERAPY LEFT. EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL.
I ALREADY HAD MY LEG AMPUTATED, UNFORTUNATELY. THE DOCTOR SAID IT WAS TOO LATE TO SAVE THE LEG, AND IT WAS
IMPOSSIBLE. I JUST NEED TO FINISH MY CHEMOTHERAPY AND I CAN THEN CONTINUE LIVING MY LIFE AS
BEFORE. ALSO LIVING A RAMBUNCTIOUS LIFE AT ST. JUDE IS 2-YEAR-OLD MELANIA, THE GIRL WHO HAD BEEN
STUCK AT THE POLISH BORDER WITH HER REFRIGERATED MEDICATION. >> HOW ARE YOU TODAY? >> HER MOTHER TOLD US THERE IS
HOPE MELANIA CAN BE CURED OF HER FIBROSARCOMA A CANCER OF THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE IN HER LEG. >> Translator: WE FLED THE WAR
FROM PEOPLE WHO JUST WANTED TO KILL. SHE TOLD US IN NOVEMBER, HERE PEOPLE ARE GREETING YOU AND WANT
TO GIVE YOU THE BEST HELP. THEY DID SO MUCH FOR US AND ARE STILL DOING. THIS IS SOMETHING INCREDIBLE.
>> Reporter: WHAT DOES THE WORLD NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS WAR? >> Translator: IT IS SCARY THAT IN OUR CENTURY PEOPLE STILL
BELIEVE THAT WAR IS WORTH SOMETHING. THERE ARE SO MANY REAL PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD, SUCH AS CANCER.
WHY DOESN'T RUSSIA FIGHT CANCER? BUT RATHER THAN FIGHT DISEASE, RUSSIA IS ATTACKING MEDICINE. THE U.N. SAYS RUSSIA HAS
ASSAULTED HOSPITALS AND CLINICS 630 TIMES. THIS IS A HOSPITAL IN NIKOLIV, A MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN KYIV.
WHAT ARE THE RUSSIANS TRYING TO DO? >> THEY ARE WAGING WAR AGAINST CIVILIANS, FIRST LADY ZELENSKA
TOLD US. THEY ARE TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE AWAY, MAKE THEM FLEE, LEAVING EMPTY CITIES AND VILLAGES
BEHIND. AND THEN THEY WOULD COME AND SEIZE THESE LANDS USING SCORCHED EARTH TACTICS.
SINCE OUR VISIT WITH MRS. ZELENSKA RUSSIA HAS DEVASTATED UKRAINE'S POWER GRID. THE KYIV CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WE
VISITED SENT US IMAGES OF SURGERIES ILLUMINATED BY GENERATORS AND THE NEO NATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT SWADDLED IN
SAND BAGS. THE DOCTOR REMAINS AT WORK. WHAT HAS THE WAR TAKEN FROM UKRAINIAN CHILDREN?
CHILDHOOD. THE MOST VALUABLE THING THAT CHILDREN HAVE. THEY STOLE CHILDHOOD FROM OUR
CHILDREN. AND WE NOW HAVE A LOT OF KIDS WHO ARE MENTALLY BROKEN NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY TO
REBUILD THEIR LIVES. THE MASS EVACUATION OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER RAN LAST SPRING FROM MARCH THROUGH MAY.
THE DOCTOR FROM ST. JUDE TOLD US A FEW CHILDREN DID NOT SURVIVE THE JOURNEY. >> AND SO THERE WERE SOME
ISTANCES WHERE CHILDREN WOULD DIE ON THE JOURNEY, BUT I THINK THOSE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE DIED IF THEY HAD STAYED IN UKRAINE.
IT WAS THE GIFT THAT WE COULD GIVE TO THE FAMILIES TO GIVE THEM THAT HOPE THAT THE CHILD COULD DIE PEACEFULLY IN A SAFE
ENVIRONMENT AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF WAR. >> A GIFT. >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU MEAN? >> I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING A PARENT WHO HAS A CHILD THAT, WITH A CHRONIC CONDITION THAT IS
APPROACHING END OF LIFE AND THE FAMILY MEMBER HAS TO WORRY WILL THE HOSPITAL BE STRUCK BY A MISSILE?
AT THE TIME THE DECISION WAS TO EVACUATE THOSE CHILDREN WITH THE RISK THAT THEY MIGHT DIE ENROUTE, BUT IF THAT WOULD BRING
PEACE TO THE FAMILY, AS THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THIS TERRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WAS ALSO NOW AFFECTED BY WAR, THEN IT FELT
LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO AT THE TIME. >> Reporter: PROVIDING THESE CHILDREN WITH A SAME PLACE TO
DIE. >> YEAH. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. AND SO WE HONORED THAT REQUEST.
>> Reporter: BY RECENT COUNT, THE CONVOY OF LIFE EVACUATED 1,119 CHILDREN INTO A WELCOMING WORLD.
ALLOWING THEIR FAMILIES TO FIGHT ONE WAR AT A TIME. >> I WONDER WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO THE AMERICANS WHO HAVE
WELCOMED YOUR FAMILY? >> Translator: WHEREVER I GO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERY PERSON THAT I MEET.
I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO SCREAM IT OUT LOUD TO EVERYONE. THANK YOU. AMERICA GAVE THIS TO US.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO HELP OTHERS, TOO. SO THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT KINDNESS WINS.
WE NEED TO DO MORE GOOD THINGS. >>> STORIES OF THE SICK WHO STAYED. THE CHILDREN FIGHTING CANCER IN
A >>> EVER HEARD OF LITIGATION FUNDING? IT'S A RELATIVELY NEW, MULTI
BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY WHERE INVESTORS FUND LAWSUITS. HERE'S THE IDEA. SAY SOMEONE WAS WRONGED BY A BIG
CORPORATION BUT HAS NO MONEY TO SUE IT. A LITIGATION FUNDER WILL PAY FOR THEIR COURT BATTLE.
IN ESSENCE THEY'RE BETTING ON THE LAWSUI THE WAY TRADERS BET ON STOCKS. IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL THEY MAKE
MONEY. SOMETIMES A LOT OF MONEY. IF IT FAILS, THE FUNDERS GET NOTHING.
THEIR INVESTMENT IS LOST. LITIGATION FUNDING CAN HELP IN CASES WHERE OTHERWISE THE LITTLE GUY WHO IS SUING WOULD JUST GET
CRUSHED OR LOW BALLED BY DEFENDANTS WITH DEEP POCKETS. THE PROBLEM IS, THIS MARKET IS EXPLODING WITH NEARLY NO RULES
OR OVERSIGHT. >> THIS IS QUITE AN HONOR TO ABLE TO DRIVE YOU AROUND IN MY TRUCK.
>> Reporter: WE START OUR STORY IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. >> THIS IS ONE OF OUR FIELDS.
>> Reporter: THIS ONE, TOO? >> Reporter: WHERE CRAIG UNDERWOOD'S FAMILY FARM HAD BEEN GROWING JALAPENOS FOR THREE
DECADES. SO YOU USED TO HAVE PEPPERS AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE. >> AS YOU WERE DRIVING THROUGH
THE VALLEY, PEPPERS WERE EVERY PLACE. >> Reporter: BUT I HEARD THAT YOU HAD ONE CUSTOMER.
>> ONE CUSTOMER. >> Reporter: THEY MAKE THE WORLD FAMOUS HOT SAUCE. IN 2016 THEY ABRUPTLY SEVERED
TIES WITH UNDERWOOD. HIS BUSINESS DRIED UP OVERNIGHT. IS THERE ANYTHING GROWING HERE AT ALL?
>> THERE'S NOTHING HERE AND UP HERE IT'S JUST WEEDS. >> Reporter: FACING RUIN, HE SUED THE COMPANY FOR BREACH OF
CONTRACT AND WON $23 MILLION. >> Reporter: BUT THEY APPEALED. >> THEY APPEALED. >> Reporter: YOU COULDN'T
COLLECT ANY OF THE MONEY. >> NO. WE WERE LOOKING AT WHETHER WE COULD SURVIVE OR NOT.
YOU KNOW, EVERY WEEK WE WERE TRYING TO FIND ENOUGH CASH TO PAY THE BILLS, MAKE PAYROLL. >> Reporter: HE COULDN'T AFFORD
TO KEEP FIGHTING UNTIL HE HEARD OF AN INVESTMENT FIRM THAT BACKS PEOPLE IN HIS SITUATION. >> WE MAKE THE PLAYING FIELD
LEVEL AND THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE WANTING IN LITIGATION. >> Reporter: CHRISTOPHER BOGART IS THE CEO AND FUND LITIGANTS
AND TAKES A CHUNK OF THEIR AWARD IF THEY WIN. >> WE ARE A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY BECAUSE LITIGATION IS
EXPENSIVE AND THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF DEMAND FROM BUSINESSES FOR THIS KIND OF SOLUTION. >> Reporter: SO IS IT A LOAN?
>> IT'S A NONRECOURSE FINANCING. >> Reporter: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT IF THE
CASE THAT WE'RE FINANCING DOESN'T SUCCEED, THEN WE DON'T GET OUR MONEY BACK. AND SO IT'S DIFFERENT FROM A
LOAN IN THE SENSE THAT A LOAN OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE ALWAYS HAVING TO PAY BACK THE PRINCIPAL. >> Reporter: IF YOUR SIDE LOSES
YOU GET NOTHING. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> Reporter: STILL, CRAIG UNDERWOOD WAS TORN BECAUSE IF HE
WON THE APPEAL BURRFORD WOULD GET A BIG CHUNK. BUT SEEING NO OTHER CHOICE, HE TOOK $4 MILLION FROM THEM.
SOON AFTER, HE WON THE APPEAL AND THE $23 MILLION. BUT THEN HE HAD TO PAY HIS LAWYERS AND SQUARE AWAY WITH
BURFORD. >> WE HAD TO GIVE THEM $8 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE 4 THAT WE GOT AND THE 4 THAT WAS
THEIR -- >> Reporter: DID YOU THINK WHEN YOU REALIZED THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT
THAT THAT WAS PREDATORY? >> SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THAT. I DIDN'T FEEL THAT WAY BECAUSE THEY STEPPED IN AND HELPED US
OUT WHEN WE COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN MONEY FROM ANYBODY ELSE. THEY BASICALLY RESCUED US. >> Reporter: FOUNDED IN 2009,
BURFORD IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST LITIGATION FUNDER, WITH $5 BILLION INVESTED IN MULTIPLE LAWSUITS.
IS IT ACTUALLY SAFER IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT TO INVEST IN LITIGATION THAN IN THE STOCK MARKET?
>> WELL, THE BENEFIT THAT YOU GET FROM LITIGATION IS THAT LITIGATION DOESN'T FLUCTUATE THE SAME WAY THAT THE MARKETS DO.
>> Reporter: WHAT'S YOUR AVERAGE INVESTMENT? >> WHEN WE'RE FINANCING A SINGLE PIECE OF LITIGATION, IT WOULD BE
VERY RARE FOR US TO BE BELOW $5 MILLION. AND IT GOES UP FROM THERE. >> Reporter: LET'S SAY YOU HAVE
A HUGE CASE WITH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WHAT KIND OF PERCENTAGE DO YOU EXPECT TO WIN AT THE END?
>> ON AN AVERAGE BASIS WE'LL LARGELY DOUBLE OUR MONEY. >> Reporter: ARE THERE CASES WHERE YOU ACTUALLY WALKED AWAY
WITH MORE MONEY THAN THE PLAINTIFF? THE PERSON WHO WAS WRONGED? >> SO THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY
OFTEN. >> Reporter: BUT OCCASIONALLY. >> IT CERTAINLY CAN HAPPEN. >> Reporter: THERE IS NO LEGAL
LIMIT ON HOW BIG A CHUNK LITIGATION FUNDERS CAN TAKE. AND THE DEALS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. BOGART ARGUES THE REASON THEY
DEMAND SO MUCH IS BECAUSE OF THE BIG RISKS THEY TAKE. BUT ACTUALLY, THEY PICK THEIR CASES VERY CAREFULLY.
SO THESE ARE ALL LAWYERS? >> INDEED THEY ARE. >> Reporter: WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
>> THEY ARE FUNDAMENTALLY VETTING POTENTIAL CASES THAT WE MIGHT FINANCE FOR CORPORATE CLIENTS.
WE CERTAINLY DO DILIGENCE ON THOSE MATTERS TO TRY TO CHOOSE ONES THAT ARE MERITORIOUS AND WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
>> Reporter: HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RIGHT? >> WE ARE RIGHT ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME AND WE'RE WRONG ABOUT 10%
OF THE TIME. >> Reporter: WOW. WHAT IF THE CLIENT YOU'VE GIVEN ALL THIS MONEY TO, INVESTED IN,
WANTS TO SETTLE AND YOU THINK THAT'S A MISTAKE? >> CLIENTS ARE FREE TO RUN THEIR LITIGATIONS AS THEY SEE FIT.
THEY ARE FREE TO WORK WITH THEIR LAWYERS AS THEY SEE FIT. WE DON'T INTERFERE WITH THAT RELATIONSHIP.
IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR THEM TO COME AND ASK FOR OUR ADVICE, BUT IT'S ADVICE. AND THE CLIENT IS FREE TO
DISREGARD THAT ADVICE AND TAKE ITS OWN PATH. >> Reporter: BUT MYA STEINETZ A LAW PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF IOWA SAYS THERE ARE ETHICS LAWS FOR LAWYERS BUT NOT THESE INVESTORS. >> THE FUNDERS ARE NOT
REGULATED. THERE IS NOTHING PRECLUDING THEM LEGALLY FROM PRESSURING A CLIENT TO SETTLE.
THE RULES OF ETHICS ARE VERY CLEAR THAT THE LAWYER HAS TO ABIDE BY THE WISHES OF THE CLIENT.
BUT HUMAN NATURE IS HUMAN NATURE. >> Reporter: YES. >> THERE MAY BE AN INCLINATION
TO BE PULLED TOWARD THE PERSON WHO IS PAYING. >> Reporter: WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
WHY SHOULD SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO IS NOT INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT CARE? >> FOR MULTIPLE REASONS.
FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS THIS NEW INDUSTRY AND A NEW TYPE OF PLAYER, LITIGATION FUNDERS, WHO ARE RESHAPING EVERY ASPECT OF
THE LITIGATION PROCESS, WHICH CASES GET BROUGHT, HOW LONG ARE THEY PURSUED, WHEN ARE THEY SETTLED?
BUT ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING WITHOUT TRANSPARENCY SO WE HAVE ONE OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, THE JUDICIARY, THAT
IS REALLY BEING QUIETLY TRANSFORMED AND -- >> Reporter: VERY LITTLE OVERSIGHT.
>> VERY LITTLE OVERSIGHT. >> Reporter: WHO IS WORKING TO IMPOSE REGULATIONS, INSIST ON TRANSPARENCY IN THIS INDUSTRY?
>> ONE ENTITY THAT HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL IS THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT REPRESENTS BIG BUSINESSES BECAUSE THE SECTOR
THAT IS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THIS IS BIG CORPORATIONS. NOW THERE'S MONEY TO SUE THEM AND THERE'S MONEY TO PERSEVERE
AND NOT SETTLE EARLY AT A DISCOUNT. >> Reporter: BIG BUSINESS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REGULATION.
HOW INTERESTING. BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE REGULATION. >> YES.
>> Reporter: EXCEPT WHEN IT HELPS THEM. >> GENERALLY. >> Reporter: BURFORD USUALLY
FUNDS HUGE CASES INVOLVING BIG, SOPHISTICATED CORPORATIONS. THERE WERE ONLY A HANDFUL OF INVESTMENT FIRMS LIKE IT WHOSE
BUSINESS IS SOLELY INVESTING IN LITIGATION. BUT HEDGE FUNDS, FOREIGN GOVERNMENT FUNDS, AND WEALTHY
INDIVIDUALS ARE ALSO GETTING INTO THIS MARKET. BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS, IN MOST CASES
LITIGATION FUNDERS REMAIN ANONYMOUS IN COURT. IN 2012, A BILLIONAIRE PETER TEAL SECRETLY FUNDED WRESTLER
HULK HOGAN'S INVASION OF PRIVACY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE WEBSITE GAWKER THAT DROVE IT OUT OF BUSINESS.
TEAL HAD HIS OWN, LONG STANDING SCORE TO SETTLE WITH THE SITE. >> IF YOU'VE BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT --
>> Reporter: BUT LITIGATION FUNDING ISN'T JUST FOR GIANT CASES WORTH GAZILLIONS. >> YOU CAN GET CASH AS SOON AS
THE SAME DAY. >> Reporter: THESE ADS ARE FOR A WHOLE OTHER CATEGORY OF LITIGATION FUNDING COMPANIES
THAT OFFER QUICK CASH. >> YOU CAN GET CASH IN AS LITTLE AS 24 HOURS. >> Reporter: DIRECTLY TO
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUING IN SMALLER CASES USUALLY OVER PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS. >> FROM 500 TO --
>> Reporter: THEY NEED THE MONEY TO PAY THEIR HOUSEHOLD BILLS SO THEY CAN HOLD OUT FOR LARGER SETTLEMENTS.
>> THE BEAUTY OF PRESETTLEMENT FUNDING IS THAT IF YOU LOSE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY BACK ANYTHING. >> Reporter: BUT IN THE ADS, IT
IS EASY TO MISS THAT IF YOU WIN YOU MIGHT HAVE TO PAY A HEFTY SUM. THIS GROUP OF LITIGATION FUNDERS
CHARGES SO MUCH BECAUSE, AGAIN, THEY SAY THE RISK IS SO HIGH. ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE APPLICANTS FOR THESE ADVANCES
ARE OFTEN BROKE, INJURED, OUT OF WORK, AND WITH NO ASSETS. BUT WE FOUND RATES RUNNING HIGH EVEN WHEN THERE IS SEEMINGLY
MINIMAL OR NO RISK. TAKE THE CASE OF FORMER NYPD OFFICER DONALD SEFSIK ENTITLED TO MONEY FROM THE 9/11 VICTIMS'
COMPENSATION FUND. HE BECAME ILL AFTER HE RACED TO GROUND ZERO. HOW LONG DID YOU STAY?
>> I STAYED THERE APPROXIMATELY NINE DAYS. >> Reporter: INHALING ALL OF THAT DUST.
>> YES. IT WAS SO MUCH DUST DOWN THERE THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE YOUR HAND OR FRONT OF YOUR FACE.
>> Reporter: SO OBVIOUSLY YOU HAD MEDICAL ISSUES. >> YEAH. I COULDN'T RUN.
I COULDN'T BREATHE. >> Reporter: SO YOU WERE ENTITLED FROM THAT VICTIMS COMPENSATION FUND.
>> YES I WAS. >> Reporter: TO GET $90,000. >> YES. >> Reporter: YOU WERE TOLD YOU
WOULD GET 90,000. >> YES. >> YOU GOT 10,000 UP FRONT. >> YES.
>> Reporter: HE KNEW HE WOULD EVENTUALLY GET MORE BUT IN THE MEANTIME HE NEEDED MONEY FOR HIS MEDICAL CARE.
SO AN AD IN THE PAPER CAUGHT HIS EYE. >> IT SAID R&D LEGAL FUNDING CAN GET YOUR MONEY FASTER.
WE CAN CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE. SO I CALLED R&D LEGAL FUNDING BUT THEN AFTER I SIGNED ALL THE DOCUMENTS AND SENT IT OVER TO
THEM, THEY CAME BACK AT AN INTEREST RATE I COULDN'T EVEN FIGURE OUT. THE DOCUMENT WAS VERY CONFUSING.
I COULDN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND IT. >> I'M A LAWYER 40 YEARS. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND IT. >> Reporter: MICHAEL BARRISH IS
HIS LAWYER. >> THEY LENT HIM $25,000. HE HAD TO REPAY 64,800 DOLLARS. >> Reporter: THAT IS 150%.
YOU PAID IT? >> I HAD NO CHOICE. I HAD NO CHOICE. I PAID IT OUT OF THE $90,000.
I ENDED UP WITH ABOUT $30,000 OF IT. I FEEL TOTALLY JUST TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.
>> Reporter: THE ARGUMENT FROM THIS INDUSTRY IS THAT THEY TAKE A BIG RISK WHEN THEY INVEST THIS MONEY.
>> THIS IS NOT A CAR ACCIDENT CASE AGAINST A SMALL INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS WAS A 9/11 VICTIM
COMPENSATION FUND CREATED BY CONGRESS AND BACKED BY THE U.S. TREASURY. >> Reporter: THE COMPANY TOLD US
HIS CONTRACT WAS CLEAR. BUT HIS CASE WAS PART OF A LAWSUIT AGAINST RD LEGAL BROUGHT BY THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY
GENERAL. IT SETTLED LAST MONTH. THE COMPANY DENIED WRONGDOING BUT HAD TO PROVIDE OVER $600,000
IN DEBT RELIEF TO HARMED CONSUMERS, STOP DOING BUSINESS WITH RECIPIENTS OF 9/11 VICTIM COMPENSATION FUNDS, AND PAY A $1
PENALTY. SO HOW DO LITIGATION FUNDERS LIKE THIS GET AWAY WITH CHARGING SUCH EXORBITANT RATES?
IF YOU TAKE OUT, SAY, A CAR LOAN, USURY LAWS THAT PREVENT PREDATORY LENDING CAP THE INTEREST RATE.
IN NEW YORK AT 16%. BUT REMEMBER, THESE AREN'T LOANS, PER SE. THEY'RE INVESTMENTS.
LITIGATION FUNDERS FOR GIANT AND PERSONAL CASES ARGUE THAT THIS MARKET IS OFFERING A LIFE LINE TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE
TO TURN. AND LEGAL SCHOLARS AGREE. >> ACCESSING THE COURTS IN A CIVIL PROCESS IS A LUXURY GOOD
IN TODAY'S AMERICA. LAWYERS CHARGE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BY THE HOUR SO IF YOU'VE BEEN INJURED, IF YOU HAVE BEEN
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, IF A CONTRACT THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED INTO HAS BEEN BREACHED, IT IS SIMPLY TOO EXPENSIVE TO BRING
YOUR CASE IN COURT. SO I THINK LITIGATION FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL. HOWEVER, PERSONALLY, I THINK
THAT LITIGATION FUNDIN SHOULD BE REGULATED. BUT I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE
>>> WITH A GRUELING PANDEMIC AND GRUESOME POLITICAL SEASON YOU'D BE FORGIVEN FOR GIVING UP ON THE IDEA OF MIRACLES.
BUT TONIGHT WE WILL TAKE YOU TO A PLACE THAT'S KNOWN FOR THEM. THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES IN SOUTHERN FRANCE IS
THE SITE OF 70 MEDICAL MIRACLES RECOGNIZED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE MARIAN SHRINE IS FAMOUS TO
THE FAITHFUL, BUT LESS WELL KNOWN IS THE LOURDES OFFICE OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS. THAT'S WHERE WORLD RENOWNED
DOCTORS AND RESEARCHERS CONDUCT DECADE LONG INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE COUNTLESS CLAIMS OF CURES REPORTED OVER THE YEARS.
THEY DETERMINE WHICH CASES CAN BE MEDICALLY EXPLAINED AND WHICH CANNOT. IT'S THOSE CHURCH OFFICIALS
MIGHT CALL A MIRACLE. FOR THE DOCTORS IT'S A LESSON IN THE LIMITS OF MEDICINE. FOR THE DEVOUT, IT'S DIVINE
INTERVENTION. THE SMALL FRENCH TOWN OF LOURDES TUCKED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE PYRENNEES MOUNTAINS DRAWS MORE
THAN 3 MILLION PILGRIMS EVERY YEAR, MORE THAN TRAVEL TO MECCA OR JERUSALEM. AND ALMOST EVERYONE YOU MEET
WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE HEARD STORIES OF MIRACLES HERE. BUT WE HEARD NONE MORE INSPIRING THAN THAT OF SISTER BERNADETTE.
>> Translator: I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE HEALED.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS YOUR PROGNOSIS? >> Translator: TOTAL PARALYSIS. THE PROGNOSIS WAS REALLY DARK.
>> Reporter: STROLLING WITH 83-YEAR-OLD SISTER THROUGH THE CHAPEL GROUND IN FRANCE WE FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT FOR HALF
HER LIFE SHE SUFFERED FROM A DISORDER OF THE NERVES AND LOWER SPINE. YOU WORTH ALL THE TIME?
HER LEFT FOOT, SHE SAID, WAS TWISTED AND LIMP. TO WALK AT ALL, SHE NEEDED THIS BACK AND LEG BRACE AND IMPLANT
TO DULL NERVE PAIN AND MASSIVE DOSES OF MORPHINE. SHE TOLD US SHE HAD EXHAUSTED ALL TREATMENT OPTIONS SO IN 2008
HER DOCTOR CONVINCED HER TO MAKE A PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES. DID YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES AT THE TIME?
>> I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN MIRACLES BUT NOT FOR ME. >> Reporter: SO WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO?
>> WELL, I DIDN'T GO THERE FOR A MIRACLE. I JUST WENT THERE TO PRAY WITH OTHERS.
LOURDES IS A PLACE WHERE THE SMALLEST PEOPLE, ALL THE SICKEST, ALL THE POOREST. THEY COME FIRST.
>> Reporter: THE SICKEST, THE POOREST, THE DISEASED AND DEBILITATED BEARING WOUNDS VISIBLE AND HIDDEN COME FROM ALL
OVER THE WORLD, SEEKING TO BE HEALED BY THE SHRINE'S NATURAL SPRING WATERS AND THE POWER OF PRAYER.
>> AND SO I'VE ASKED FOR COMPLETE HEALING OR A SUPER LONG REMISSION. >> Reporter: THIS WAS KIM
HALPIN'S FIRST PILGRIMAGE. SHE FOUND OUT LAST YEAR SHE HAS INCURABLE BLOOD CANCER AND CAME ALL OF THE WAY FROM KANSAS TO
CLEANSE HERSELF IN THE WATERS OF LOURDES. ARE YOU EXPECTING TO BE HEALED? >> NOT NECESSARILY.
ASK FOR AS MUCH AS I WANT AND MAYBE I WILL BE BLESSED WITH PART OF IT. WHICH WILL BE OKAY.
>> Reporter: HALPIN WAS AIDED BY HER SON, SHAWN. WE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THERE ARE AS MANY VOLUNTEERS AS
SICK HERE. THE OUR LADY OF LOURDES HOSPITALITY NORTH AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS HELPED JAMIE JENSEN
TRAVEL FROM MINNESOTA FOR HIS 18th VISIT. >> EVEN THOUGH THE CAMERA SEES I HAVE A CONDITION AND A CHAIR
WHEN I'M HERE I DON'T HAVE A CONDITION. >> Reporter: JENSEN'S CONDITION IS CEREBRAL PALSY.
ALL THOSE TRIPS TO LOURDES HAVEN'T GIVEN HIM THE PHYSICAL MIRACLE HE WANTED BUT MAYBE HE SAYS HE GOT THE MIRACLE HE
NEEDED. >> I WAS VERY BITTER, VERY ANGRY WITH MYSELF. >> Reporter: DID COMING TO
LOURDES CHANGE YOUR HEART? >> VERY MUCH. >> Reporter: DO YOU CONSIDER THAT A MIRACLE?
>> I DO, BECAUSE THERE'S A PEACE WITHIN MYSELF. >> Reporter: STORIES OF INNER PEACE AND ACCEPTANCE DON'T MEET
THE BAR FOR THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS, AND WITH JUST 70 MEDICAL MIRACLES RECOGNIZED IN 160 YEARS, YOU'D
HAVE BETTER ODDS PLAYING THE LOTTO, YET THOUSANDS OF FAITHFUL LINE UP AT THE BATHS AND AT THIS GROTTO WHERE THE FIRST MIRACLE
IS SAID TO HAVE OCCURRED. THE SANCTUARY, WITH ITS THREE BASILICAS AND 25 CHAPELS IS LAID OUT LIKE A GRAND THEATRE
COMPLEX. ITS MANY STAGES OFFER DOZENS OF PIOUS PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
THE FINALE, A CANDLE LIT PROCESSION EVERY NIGHT. THERE WOULD BE NONE OF THIS WERE IT NOT FOR ST. BERNADETTE.
ACCORDING TO CATHOLIC LORE IN 1858 A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN APPEARED IN THIS GROTTO TO BERNADETTE, A 14-YEAR-OLD PEASANT GIRL.
THE BISHOP OF LOURDES SAYS THE WOMAN SPOKE WITH BERNADETTE SEVERAL TIMES OVER FIVE MONTHS. >> AND ONCE, THE 25th OF MARCH,
THE DAY OF THE ANNUNCIATION, SHE SAID, I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. >> Reporter: WHEN WORD GOT OUT
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE VIRGIN MARY, HAD APPEARED IN LOURDES, PEOPLE FLOCKED TO THIS GROTTO AND WITHIN DAYS STARTED
MAKING CLAIMS OF MIRACLE CURES, THE ABILITY TO WALK, RESTORED SIGHT. WORRIED ABOUT FUELING MASS
HYSTERIA, THE CHURCH SET UP THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS IN 1883 TO INVESTIGATE THE CLAIMS.
WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO THE OTHER BERNADETTE IN OUR STORY. 14 YEARS AGO, SHE FOUND HERSELF IN A WHEELCHAIR IN A PROCESSION
AT LOURDES SEEKING THE INTERVENTION OF ST. BERNADETTE. >> I REALLY HAD THAT FEELING THAT THE LORD WAS WALKING WITH
US. AND I HEARD HIM GIVING ME THESE WORDS, I SEE YOUR SUFFERING, AND THAT OF YOUR SICK BROTHERS AND
SISTERS. JUST GIVE ME EVERYTHING. >> Reporter: YOU HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS?
>> YES, I HEARD THIS IN A VOICE. I CAN'T REALLY TELL YOU WHOSE VOICE IT WAS. IT WAS LIKE A SPIRITUAL
EXPERIENCE. >> Reporter: SHE SAID SHE RETURNED HOME REJUVENATED SPIRITUALLY BUT PHYSICALLY SHE
FELT WORSE. AFTER THREE DAYS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN, SHE TOLD US SHE SUDDENLY FOUND THE STRENGTH TO WALK TO
THE CHAPEL AND PRAY. >> THEN I FELT SOME KIND OF HEAT COMING INTO MY BODY. I FELT RELAXED BUT I DIDN'T
REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT WAS MEANING. AND IN MY ROOM, I HEARD THIS INNER VOICE AGAIN TELLING ME,
TAKE ALL YOUR BRACES OFF. I DIDN'T THINK TWICE. I STARTED TAKING MY FOOT BRACE OFF.
AND MY FOOT THAT USED TO BE CROOKED WAS STRAIGHT. AND I COULD ACTUALLY PUT IT ON THE GROUND WITHOUT FEELING ANY
PAIN. >> Reporter: ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR FOOT WAS STRAIGHT. >> YES, LIKE THAT.
LIKE IT IS JUST NOW. AND SO I KEPT GOING. >> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE TOOK OFF THE BRACES AND STOPPED THE
MORPHINE ALL AT ONCE. DID THIS MAKE SENSE TO YOU? >> NO, I KNEW IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. >> Reporter: SHE CAME TO MY DOOR
WITH HER DOCTOR AND SHE SAID, LAST YEAR I CAME TO LOURDES ON PILGRIMAGE AND THREE DAYS AFTER I GOT BACK HOME I WAS CURED.
>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR HEARS STORIES LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME. AS THE PRESIDENT AND RESIDING PHYSICIAN AT THE LOURDES OFFICE
OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS THE FORMER PEDIATRICIAN'S JOB IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS MORE TO THOSE STORIES BY APPLYING
SEVEN STRICT CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE CHURCH. >> WE ARE LOOKING FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND IF THAT DIAGNOSIS
IS A DIAGNOSIS OF A SEVERE DISEASE WITH A SEVERE PROGNOSIS AND THEN WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PERSON IS A PERSON THAT WAS
CURED IN A WAY THAT ONE WOULD SAY SUDDENLY, IN AN INSTANTANEOUS WAY, IN A COMPLETE WAY, IN A WAY LASTING IN TIME,
AND MY SEVENTH CRITERIA THAT HAS TO MATCH IS THERE MUST BE NO POSSIBLE EXPLANATION TO THAT CURE.
SISTER BERNADETTE. >> Reporter: HE SHOWED US THE ARCHIVES WHICH SHOW THOUSANDS OF RECORDED CLAIMS OF CURES.
THIS FEELS LIKE IT'S ALMOST TEN POUNDS. THE DOCTOR IS A PRACTICING CATHOLIC AND TOLD US WHAT
SEPARATES THE MORE THAN 7,000 CLAIMS OF CURES FROM THE 70 THE CHURCH CALLS MIRACLES IS AN UN-GODLY AMOUNT OF MEDICAL
DOCUMENTATION AND PATIENTS LIKE SISTER BERNADETTE WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIVES UNDER A MICROSCOPE. >> WE SENT HER TO DIFFERENT
NEUROLOGISTS. WE SENT HER TO DIFFERENT RHEUMATOLOGISTS BECAUSE OF THE SPECIFIC CASE OF HER DISEASE.
WE ASKED TO REPEAT TWICE ALL SORTS OF IMAGERY. ELECTRO PHYSIOLOGY. WE DID ALL WE WOULD DO IN
MEDICINE TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE OF HER DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS. >> Reporter: BUT HE WANTED TO CONFIRM SOMETHING ELSE
>> I WAS ASKED TO MEET WITH TWO PSYCHIATRISTS PSYCHIATRISTS IN PARIS. THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF I WAS
LYING. IF I HAD ALREADY HAD ANY HALLUCINATIONS. IF I HAD LEVITATED.
I REMEMBER ANSWERING, NO, DOCTOR, I NEVER LEFT THE GROUND FLOOR. >> Reporter: SATISFIED, THE
DOCTOR SENT THE CASE TO A GROUP OF 33 DOCTORS AND PROFESSORS CALLED THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL COMMITTEE OF LOURDES.
ITS JOB IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER A CURE IS WHAT THEY CONSIDER MEDICALLY UNEXPLAINED. >> WE'RE NOT TRYING TO REEL
SOMETHING IN OR OUT. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE OBJECTIVE. >> Reporter: YOU COULD CALL THEM
THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATES. DR. MICHAEL MORAN, A SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST. A PROFESSOR OF UROLOGY AT JOHN
HOPKINS. AND A RENOWNED ADDICTION SPECIALIST SCRUTINIZED SISTER BERNADETTE'S CASE.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED HER RESPONSE? >> NO TREATMENT WOULD BE THAT EFFECTIVE THAT QUICKLY.
>> Reporter: DOES RELIGION ENTER INTO YOUR MEDICAL CONVERSATION? >> WE CANNOT SEPARATE OURSELVES AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEEPLY
IMMERSED IN THE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF LOURDES AND THE CHURCH, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE'RE JUST AS TECHNICAL AS A
FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING AT THE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE CASE. >> Reporter: AFTER EIGHT YEARS
OF INVESTIGATION, THE COMMITTEE DETERMINED THE CASE WAS MEDICALLY UNEXPLAINED. SO WHEN YOU DO A SURVEY, THE
INVESTIGATION OF SISTER BERNADETTE'S OR ANY OF THE OTHER CURES, THIS IS DONE ON A PURELY MEDICAL BASIS, SOMETHING THAT
COULD BE PEER REVIEWED BY OTHER PHYSICIANS OUTSIDE. >> NOT COULD. THAT IS.
I CAN AFFIRM WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT THE CASE OF SISTER BERNADETTE HAD BEEN REVIEWED, READ, BY AT LEAST 300
PHYSICIANS. AND TOMORROW MORNING IF ANY OF OUR VIEWERS IS A DOCTOR AND ONE DAY HE STOPS IN FRANCE AND COMES
TO SEE ME AND WANTS TO LOOK INTO THE FILE OF SISTER BERNADETTE I'LL BE DELIGHTED TO SHOW HIM. BECAUSE WE HAVE -- EVERYTHING IS
OPEN AND COLLEGIAL AND NO SECRETS. >> Reporter: THE SECRET IS THE MYSTERY OF IT ALL.
AND ON THAT THE CHURCH GETS THE LAST WORD. IN 2018, A DECADE AFTER HER CURE, SISTER BERNADETTE'S CASE
WAS DECLARED THE 70th MIRACLE OF LOURDES. >> DECLARING A MIRACLE IS SAYING GOD DID SOMETHING.
THIS IS THE MIRACLE. AND THE DOCTORS CANNOT GO ON THAT LAND, ON THAT FIELD. >> Reporter: WHEN I TOLD PEOPLE
I WAS COMING HERE I GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME OH, COME ON. THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME EXPLANATION WE JUST DON'T KNOW.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE SKEPTICS? >> COME AND SEE. BE OPEN. DON'T BE NARROW MINDED.
BE OPEN TO BELIEVE THAT THE REAL WORLD IS WIDER THAN THE VISIBLE ONE. >> Reporter: IT'S BEEN SAID
ABOUT LOURDES FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE NO EXPLANATION IS NECESSARY. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT, NO
EXPLANATION IS
>>> THE LAST MINUTE OF "60 MINUTES" IS SPONSORED BY UNITED HEALTHCARE. GET MEDICARE WITH MORE.
>>> IN THIS SEASON WHEN THE DAYS GROW SHORT AND LIGHT IS AT A PREMIUM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BROUGHT GOOD NEWS FROM THE
LABORATORY OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH ATOMIC ARMAGEDDON. THE LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY AFTER DECADES OF
DISAPPOINTING EXPERIMENTS HAS ACHIEVED A NUCLEAR FUSION REACTION THAT PRODUCES MORE POWER THAN IT CONSUMES.
FUSION ENERGY, THE SAME PROCESS THE SUN USES TO CREATE HEAT AND LIGHT, PROMISES TO BE CLEAN, CHEAP, AND NEARLY UNEXPENDABLE.
IT PRODUCES NEITHER GREENHOUSE GASES NOR NUCLEAR WASTE. THE BREAKTHROUGH'S PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS ARE YEARS, EVEN
DECADES AWAY. BUT IN THIS SEASON OF HOPE, IT SHEDS A LITTLE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.
I'M BILL WHITAKER. HAPPY HANUKAH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. WE'LL BE BACK CHRISTMAS NIGHT
WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "60