1 00:00:11,544 --> 00:00:20,854 >>> THE JOY IN 2-YEAR-OLD MELANIA DEFIED BOTH CANCER AND WAR. BUT IF SHE WAS TO LIVE HER 2 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:30,764 FAMILY HAD TO ESCAPE UKRAINE. AS MISSILES FLEW AND DOCTORS RUSHED THE SICKEST CHILDREN UNDERGROUND, A RENOWNED AMERICAN 3 00:00:30,830 --> 00:00:41,307 HOSPITAL AND 21 COUNTRIES IMPROVISED A FLIGHT TO SAFETY CALLED THE CONVOY OF LIFE. >>> LITIGATION FUNDING IS A NEW 4 00:00:41,374 --> 00:00:48,415 TYPE OF INVESTMENT THAT'S BECOME A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY. >> SO THESE ARE ALL LAWYERS? >> INDEED THEY ARE. 5 00:00:48,481 --> 00:00:55,321 >> Reporter: IN ESSENCE, INVESTORS BET ON THE OUTCOME OF LARGE LAWSUITS THE WAY TRADERS BET ON STOCKS. 6 00:00:55,388 --> 00:01:01,060 HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RIGHT? >> WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME AND WRONG ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME. 7 00:01:01,127 --> 00:01:10,537 >> WOW. >> Reporter: THE PROBLEM IS THIS MARKET IS EXPLODING WITH NEARLY NO RULES OR OVERSIGHT. 8 00:01:10,603 --> 00:01:24,451 >>> DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? WELL, "60 MINUTES" TRAVELED TO THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES IN SOUTHERN FRANCE WHERE 9 00:01:24,517 --> 00:01:28,922 70 MEDICAL MIRACLES HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OVER 160 YEARS. AND TONIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A 10 00:01:28,988 --> 00:01:39,299 MIRACLE STORY AND FROM THE RENOWNED DOCTORS AND RESEARCHERS WHO INVESTIGATED IT. >> I'M LESLEY STAHL. 11 00:01:39,365 --> 00:01:45,538 >> I'M BILL WHITAKER. >> I'M ANDERSON COOPER. >> I'M SHARYN ALFONSI. >> I'M JON WERTHEIM. 12 00:01:45,605 --> 00:02:00,954 >> I'M SCOTT PELLEY. THOSE STORIES AND MORE >>> HALF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ARE WITHOUT POWER AS LOW 13 00:02:01,020 --> 00:02:09,462 TEMPERATURES DROP INTO THE 20s. RUSSIA IS ATTACKING CIVILIAN UTILITIES WITH NEW WAVES OF MISSILES IN RELENTLESS ASSAULTS 14 00:02:09,529 --> 00:02:19,305 THAT THE UNITED NATIONS CALLS WAR CRIMES. EVEN BEFORE RUSSIA'S INVASION LAST FEBRUARY, MORE THAN A 15 00:02:19,372 --> 00:02:26,946 THOUSAND UKRAINIAN CHILDREN WERE ALREADY AT WAR. THEY WERE FIGHTING CANCER. RUSSIAN ATTACKS ON HOSPITALS PUT 16 00:02:27,013 --> 00:02:34,487 THESE FRAGILE CHILDREN IN IMMEDIATE DANGER. THE FIRST LADY OF UKRAINE ASKED THE WORLD FOR HELP AND A 17 00:02:34,554 --> 00:02:44,230 RENOWNED AMERICAN HOSPITAL AND 21 COUNTRIES ANSWERED THE CALL. WHAT FOLLOWED WAS AN IMPROVISED FLIGHT TO SAFETY THAT UKRAINE 18 00:02:44,297 --> 00:02:54,307 CALLED THE CONVOY OF LIFE. THE JOY IN 2-YEAR-OLD MELANIA DEFIED BOTH CANCER AND WAR. BUT IF SHE WAS TO LIVE, HER 19 00:02:54,374 --> 00:03:09,789 FAMILY HAD TO ESCAPE UKRAINE. IN FEBRUARY, HER MOTHER JOINED THE JAM OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES STRUGGLING TO CROSS INTO POLAND. 20 00:03:09,856 --> 00:03:16,095 PEOPLE WERE WALKING FOR MILES SHE TOLD US, LEAVING THEIR CARS AND BELONGINGS BEHIND. THEY WOULD ONLY TAKE WITH THEM 21 00:03:16,162 --> 00:03:28,975 THEIR MOST PRECIOUS ONES, THEIR CHILDREN AND PETS. MY HEART WAS TEARING APART. AT THE BORDER HER DESPERATION 22 00:03:29,042 --> 00:03:36,816 ROSE WITH THE TEMPERATURE OF MELANIA'S CANCER DRUG SHE WAS CARRYING. IT HAD TO BE REFRIGERATED. 23 00:03:36,883 --> 00:03:45,858 BUT NOW THEY WERE TRAPPED. AFTER WAITING IN LINE AT THE BORDER FOR OVER 24 HOURS, AND IT WOULD GET WARMER DURING THE DAY, 24 00:03:45,925 --> 00:03:51,831 I HAD NO STORAGE FOR THE MEDICATION. AND THAT'S WHEN I WOULD BECOME DESPERATE. 25 00:03:51,898 --> 00:04:00,840 I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. HOW TO HAVE HOPE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MY CHILD. MOTHERS ACROSS UKRAINE WERE 26 00:04:00,907 --> 00:04:09,315 LOSING HOPE FOR THEIR SICK CHILDREN. THIS WAS THE SCENE IN THE CAPITAL KYIV OUTSIDE THE WINDOW 27 00:04:09,382 --> 00:04:20,360 OF THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. THIS DOCTOR TOLD US AS THE MISSILES FLEW SHE RUSHED PATIENTS TO THE BASEMENT, MANY 28 00:04:20,426 --> 00:04:27,500 ON CHEMOTHERAPY. ALL OF THE PATIENTS WERE VERY SICK, SHE TOLD US. BEING MOVED TO THE BASEMENT 29 00:04:27,567 --> 00:04:38,711 DEFINITELY DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD TO THEIR HEALTH. THE DOCTOR SPECIALIZES IN EYE CANCER AND IN THE TREATMENT ROOM 30 00:04:38,778 --> 00:04:45,551 THEY DISPLAYED THEIR RAGE. WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK DESPITE THE WAR. AND WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS WAR 31 00:04:45,618 --> 00:04:56,195 WITH RUSSIAN SOLDIERS AND KILL CANCER. MAYBE THEY DIDN'T NEED THE SIGN. THE DOCTOR'S LOOK SAID IT ALL. 32 00:04:56,262 --> 00:05:04,237 SHE TOLD US, THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON THE HOSPITAL SUPPLIES, SUCH BASIC SUPPLIES AS BLOOD, FOR EXAMPLE. 33 00:05:04,303 --> 00:05:11,110 YOU CAN'T DELAY AN OPERATION FOR AN ONCOLOGY PATIENT FOR A WEEK OR TWO. YOU CAN'T STOP THEIR TREATMENT 34 00:05:11,177 --> 00:05:22,555 BECAUSE TIMING IS CRUCIAL. IF YOU DELAY CHEMOTHERAPY FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN YOU'VE LOST SOME PERCENTAGE OF THEIR CHANCE TO 35 00:05:22,622 --> 00:05:30,663 SURVIVE. THE PLIGHT OF DESPERATE CHILDREN TOUCHED THE FIRST LADY OF UKRAINE. 36 00:05:30,730 --> 00:05:39,639 WE MET IN KYIV IN SEPTEMBER. EL GRANT BUT WEARY, SHE SEEMED TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF 44 MILLION UKRAINIANS. 37 00:05:39,706 --> 00:05:50,783 KIDS WITH CANCER WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO FIND HER EMPATHY. >> HOW DID YOU WORK WITH OTHER COUNTRIES TO EVACUATE THESE 38 00:05:50,850 --> 00:05:57,490 CANCER PATIENTS? >> ON MY LEVEL, I CAN SPEAK WITH THE FIRST LADIES. FOR THIS CONVOY TO WORK THEY 39 00:05:57,557 --> 00:06:06,499 NEEDED TO SET UP THE SYSTEM IN THEIR COUNTRIES, MAKING SURE THAT PHYSICIANS AND HOSPITALS IN THEIR COUNTRY WOULD ACCEPT THE 40 00:06:06,566 --> 00:06:17,143 CHILDREN FOR TREATMENT. JILL BIDEN RESPONDED FOR THE UNITED STATES. BRIGITTE MACRON FOR FRANCE. 41 00:06:17,210 --> 00:06:24,083 POLAND, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY HELPED ACTIVATE CHARITIES AND MEDICAL SOCIETIES. WE HAD A BIG TEAM. 42 00:06:24,150 --> 00:06:38,765 EVERYONE HELPING EACH OTHER. AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. THAT TEAM LIKELY SAVED THE LIFE OF 17-YEAR-OLD YASMINE, WHO 43 00:06:38,831 --> 00:06:46,873 IMPRESSED US WITH THE CREATIVITY, PERSONALITY, AND LOVE OF LIFE THAT ARE RICH IN THOSE WHO KNOW THEY CAN LOSE 44 00:06:46,939 --> 00:06:52,745 THEM. IN FEBRUARY, DOCTORS ORDERED HER INTO CHEMOTHERAPY TO SAVE HER LEG FROM BONE CANCER. 45 00:06:52,812 --> 00:07:01,521 BUT BEFORE THAT HAPPENED, RUSSIA INVADED. IN MARCH, SHE JOINED THE CONVOY OF LIFE. 46 00:07:01,587 --> 00:07:16,035 PATIENTS THROUGHOUT UKRAINE TOOK BUSES AND TRAINS TO A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN LVIV NEAR POLAND. THEY CROSSED THE BORDER WHERE 47 00:07:16,102 --> 00:07:23,442 THEY BOARDED A MEDICAL TRAIN. THE ENTIRE ROUTE COULD TAKE DAYS OR WEEKS BUT THROUGHOUT THE EXHAUSTING JOURNEY AT LEAST SHE 48 00:07:23,509 --> 00:07:37,824 HAD HER MOTHER TO LEAN ON. WHEN WE SEE YOU ON THE TRAIN, YOU ARE MOVING INTO THE UNKNOWN IN THAT MOMENT. 49 00:07:37,890 --> 00:07:44,864 YES, SHE TOLD US. ON THAT JOURNEY WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COUNTRY ON THE DESTINATION LIST WE WOULD END UP IN. 50 00:07:44,931 --> 00:07:54,373 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 51 00:07:54,440 --> 00:08:04,550 THE UNKNOWN. WHERE WILL I BE TOMORROW? THE ANSWER TURNED OUT TO BE THIS IMPROVISED TRIAGE CENTER IN 52 00:08:04,617 --> 00:08:10,556 POLAND, SET UP BY AN AMERICAN HOSPITAL, ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. 53 00:08:10,623 --> 00:08:17,697 NAMED FOR THE PATRON SAINT OF HOPELESS CAUSES. >> THERE ARE PATIENTS WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET SICK THAN 54 00:08:17,763 --> 00:08:24,503 OTHERS AND SO WE WANT TO IDENTIFY THOSE PATIENTS SO WE CAN PAY ATTENTION TO THEM WHEN THEY GET HERE. 55 00:08:24,570 --> 00:08:30,910 >> Reporter: THAT IS A DOCTOR FROM ST. JUDE WHO HELPED ORGANIZE THE TRIAGE CENTER IN AN EMPTY HOTEL IN THE POLISH 56 00:08:30,977 --> 00:08:35,414 COUNTRY SIDE. >> THE CHILDREN WOULD GET ESCORTED FROM LVIV TO THE BORDER SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT IN 57 00:08:35,481 --> 00:08:41,654 LINE AND THEN THEY WOULD CROSS THE BORDER INTO POLAND. THE CHILDREN WHO WERE SICK WOULD GO STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL WITH 58 00:08:41,721 --> 00:08:48,194 AN AMBULANCE, SOMETIMES A HELICOPTER. THE ONES THAT WERE STABLE WOULD TAKE THE REALLY IMPRESSIVE 59 00:08:48,261 --> 00:08:53,332 MEDICAL TRAIN THAT HAD MEDICAL STAFF. THEY HAD AN ICU AND A SURGICAL THEATRE. 60 00:08:53,399 --> 00:09:00,072 THEY WOULD TAKE THIS TRAIN TO A CITY CLOSE TO WHERE OUR UNICORN CLINIC WAS. >> Reporter: THE UNICORN CLINIC 61 00:09:00,139 --> 00:09:07,380 WAS THE NAME THEY GAVE TO THE HOTEL THAT COULD HOLD 300 REFUGEES -- PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. 62 00:09:07,446 --> 00:09:16,022 MEDICAL RECORDS WERE TRANSLATED AND HOSPITALS WERE FOUND FOR TREATMENT AT NO CHARGE IN 21 WELCOMING COUNTRIES. 63 00:09:16,088 --> 00:09:26,899 >> I SUSPECT YOU'D NEVER HEARD OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. >> I JUST KNEW THERE WAS SUCH A PLACE, BUT NOT MUCH ELSE. 64 00:09:26,966 --> 00:09:38,210 IN MARCH, YASMINE ARRIVED IN MEMPHIS FOR TREATMENT AT ST. JUDE. WHAT ARE THE DOCTORS TELLING YOU 65 00:09:38,277 --> 00:09:43,816 NOW? I HAVE A FEW ROUNDS OF CHEMOTHERAPY LEFT. EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL. 66 00:09:43,883 --> 00:09:52,458 I ALREADY HAD MY LEG AMPUTATED, UNFORTUNATELY. THE DOCTOR SAID IT WAS TOO LATE TO SAVE THE LEG, AND IT WAS 67 00:09:52,525 --> 00:10:03,836 IMPOSSIBLE. I JUST NEED TO FINISH MY CHEMOTHERAPY AND I CAN THEN CONTINUE LIVING MY LIFE AS 68 00:10:03,903 --> 00:10:10,743 BEFORE. ALSO LIVING A RAMBUNCTIOUS LIFE AT ST. JUDE IS 2-YEAR-OLD MELANIA, THE GIRL WHO HAD BEEN 69 00:10:10,810 --> 00:10:20,720 STUCK AT THE POLISH BORDER WITH HER REFRIGERATED MEDICATION. >> HOW ARE YOU TODAY? >> HER MOTHER TOLD US THERE IS 70 00:10:20,786 --> 00:10:31,731 HOPE MELANIA CAN BE CURED OF HER FIBROSARCOMA A CANCER OF THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE IN HER LEG. >> Translator: WE FLED THE WAR 71 00:10:31,797 --> 00:10:39,805 FROM PEOPLE WHO JUST WANTED TO KILL. SHE TOLD US IN NOVEMBER, HERE PEOPLE ARE GREETING YOU AND WANT 72 00:10:39,872 --> 00:10:49,815 TO GIVE YOU THE BEST HELP. THEY DID SO MUCH FOR US AND ARE STILL DOING. THIS IS SOMETHING INCREDIBLE. 73 00:10:49,882 --> 00:10:59,291 >> Reporter: WHAT DOES THE WORLD NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS WAR? >> Translator: IT IS SCARY THAT IN OUR CENTURY PEOPLE STILL 74 00:10:59,358 --> 00:11:07,900 BELIEVE THAT WAR IS WORTH SOMETHING. THERE ARE SO MANY REAL PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD, SUCH AS CANCER. 75 00:11:07,967 --> 00:11:23,182 WHY DOESN'T RUSSIA FIGHT CANCER? BUT RATHER THAN FIGHT DISEASE, RUSSIA IS ATTACKING MEDICINE. THE U.N. SAYS RUSSIA HAS 76 00:11:23,249 --> 00:11:40,399 ASSAULTED HOSPITALS AND CLINICS 630 TIMES. THIS IS A HOSPITAL IN NIKOLIV, A MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN KYIV. 77 00:11:40,466 --> 00:11:51,477 WHAT ARE THE RUSSIANS TRYING TO DO? >> THEY ARE WAGING WAR AGAINST CIVILIANS, FIRST LADY ZELENSKA 78 00:11:51,544 --> 00:11:57,016 TOLD US. THEY ARE TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE AWAY, MAKE THEM FLEE, LEAVING EMPTY CITIES AND VILLAGES 79 00:11:57,083 --> 00:12:03,489 BEHIND. AND THEN THEY WOULD COME AND SEIZE THESE LANDS USING SCORCHED EARTH TACTICS. 80 00:12:03,556 --> 00:12:10,863 SINCE OUR VISIT WITH MRS. ZELENSKA RUSSIA HAS DEVASTATED UKRAINE'S POWER GRID. THE KYIV CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WE 81 00:12:10,930 --> 00:12:23,509 VISITED SENT US IMAGES OF SURGERIES ILLUMINATED BY GENERATORS AND THE NEO NATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT SWADDLED IN 82 00:12:23,576 --> 00:12:32,818 SAND BAGS. THE DOCTOR REMAINS AT WORK. WHAT HAS THE WAR TAKEN FROM UKRAINIAN CHILDREN? 83 00:12:32,885 --> 00:12:37,556 CHILDHOOD. THE MOST VALUABLE THING THAT CHILDREN HAVE. THEY STOLE CHILDHOOD FROM OUR 84 00:12:37,623 --> 00:12:43,896 CHILDREN. AND WE NOW HAVE A LOT OF KIDS WHO ARE MENTALLY BROKEN NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY TO 85 00:12:43,963 --> 00:12:57,042 REBUILD THEIR LIVES. THE MASS EVACUATION OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER RAN LAST SPRING FROM MARCH THROUGH MAY. 86 00:12:57,109 --> 00:13:04,183 THE DOCTOR FROM ST. JUDE TOLD US A FEW CHILDREN DID NOT SURVIVE THE JOURNEY. >> AND SO THERE WERE SOME 87 00:13:04,250 --> 00:13:11,357 ISTANCES WHERE CHILDREN WOULD DIE ON THE JOURNEY, BUT I THINK THOSE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE DIED IF THEY HAD STAYED IN UKRAINE. 88 00:13:11,423 --> 00:13:16,729 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 89 00:13:16,795 --> 00:13:21,400 ENVIRONMENT AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF WAR. >> A GIFT. >> YEAH. 90 00:13:21,467 --> 00:13:28,374 >> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU MEAN? >> I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING A PARENT WHO HAS A CHILD THAT, WITH A CHRONIC CONDITION THAT IS 91 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:34,213 APPROACHING END OF LIFE AND THE FAMILY MEMBER HAS TO WORRY WILL THE HOSPITAL BE STRUCK BY A MISSILE? 92 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:40,419 AT THE TIME THE DECISION WAS TO EVACUATE THOSE CHILDREN WITH THE RISK THAT THEY MIGHT DIE ENROUTE, BUT IF THAT WOULD BRING 93 00:13:40,486 --> 00:13:48,561 PEACE TO THE FAMILY, AS THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THIS TERRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WAS ALSO NOW AFFECTED BY WAR, THEN IT FELT 94 00:13:48,627 --> 00:13:55,601 LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO AT THE TIME. >> Reporter: PROVIDING THESE CHILDREN WITH A SAME PLACE TO 95 00:13:55,668 --> 00:14:02,141 DIE. >> YEAH. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. AND SO WE HONORED THAT REQUEST. 96 00:14:02,208 --> 00:14:12,251 >> Reporter: BY RECENT COUNT, THE CONVOY OF LIFE EVACUATED 1,119 CHILDREN INTO A WELCOMING WORLD. 97 00:14:12,318 --> 00:14:19,959 ALLOWING THEIR FAMILIES TO FIGHT ONE WAR AT A TIME. >> I WONDER WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO THE AMERICANS WHO HAVE 98 00:14:20,025 --> 00:14:28,234 WELCOMED YOUR FAMILY? >> Translator: WHEREVER I GO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERY PERSON THAT I MEET. 99 00:14:28,300 --> 00:14:37,142 I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO SCREAM IT OUT LOUD TO EVERYONE. THANK YOU. AMERICA GAVE THIS TO US. 100 00:14:37,209 --> 00:14:46,452 AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO HELP OTHERS, TOO. SO THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT KINDNESS WINS. 101 00:14:46,518 --> 00:14:59,565 WE NEED TO DO MORE GOOD THINGS. >>> STORIES OF THE SICK WHO STAYED. THE CHILDREN FIGHTING CANCER IN 102 00:14:59,632 --> 00:15:13,512 A >>> EVER HEARD OF LITIGATION FUNDING? IT'S A RELATIVELY NEW, MULTI 103 00:15:13,579 --> 00:15:21,086 BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY WHERE INVESTORS FUND LAWSUITS. HERE'S THE IDEA. SAY SOMEONE WAS WRONGED BY A BIG 104 00:15:21,153 --> 00:15:26,959 CORPORATION BUT HAS NO MONEY TO SUE IT. A LITIGATION FUNDER WILL PAY FOR THEIR COURT BATTLE. 105 00:15:27,026 --> 00:15:33,599 IN ESSENCE THEY'RE BETTING ON THE LAWSUI THE WAY TRADERS BET ON STOCKS. IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL THEY MAKE 106 00:15:33,666 --> 00:15:40,039 MONEY. SOMETIMES A LOT OF MONEY. IF IT FAILS, THE FUNDERS GET NOTHING. 107 00:15:40,105 --> 00:15:49,248 THEIR INVESTMENT IS LOST. LITIGATION FUNDING CAN HELP IN CASES WHERE OTHERWISE THE LITTLE GUY WHO IS SUING WOULD JUST GET 108 00:15:49,315 --> 00:15:56,188 CRUSHED OR LOW BALLED BY DEFENDANTS WITH DEEP POCKETS. THE PROBLEM IS, THIS MARKET IS EXPLODING WITH NEARLY NO RULES 109 00:15:56,255 --> 00:16:03,996 OR OVERSIGHT. >> THIS IS QUITE AN HONOR TO ABLE TO DRIVE YOU AROUND IN MY TRUCK. 110 00:16:04,063 --> 00:16:11,337 >> Reporter: WE START OUR STORY IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. >> THIS IS ONE OF OUR FIELDS. 111 00:16:11,403 --> 00:16:17,910 >> Reporter: THIS ONE, TOO? >> Reporter: WHERE CRAIG UNDERWOOD'S FAMILY FARM HAD BEEN GROWING JALAPENOS FOR THREE 112 00:16:17,976 --> 00:16:22,414 DECADES. SO YOU USED TO HAVE PEPPERS AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE. >> AS YOU WERE DRIVING THROUGH 113 00:16:22,481 --> 00:16:28,721 THE VALLEY, PEPPERS WERE EVERY PLACE. >> Reporter: BUT I HEARD THAT YOU HAD ONE CUSTOMER. 114 00:16:28,787 --> 00:16:38,097 >> ONE CUSTOMER. >> Reporter: THEY MAKE THE WORLD FAMOUS HOT SAUCE. IN 2016 THEY ABRUPTLY SEVERED 115 00:16:38,163 --> 00:16:46,438 TIES WITH UNDERWOOD. HIS BUSINESS DRIED UP OVERNIGHT. IS THERE ANYTHING GROWING HERE AT ALL? 116 00:16:46,505 --> 00:16:54,613 >> THERE'S NOTHING HERE AND UP HERE IT'S JUST WEEDS. >> Reporter: FACING RUIN, HE SUED THE COMPANY FOR BREACH OF 117 00:16:54,680 --> 00:17:01,587 CONTRACT AND WON $23 MILLION. >> Reporter: BUT THEY APPEALED. >> THEY APPEALED. >> Reporter: YOU COULDN'T 118 00:17:01,653 --> 00:17:04,957 COLLECT ANY OF THE MONEY. >> NO. WE WERE LOOKING AT WHETHER WE COULD SURVIVE OR NOT. 119 00:17:05,023 --> 00:17:13,799 YOU KNOW, EVERY WEEK WE WERE TRYING TO FIND ENOUGH CASH TO PAY THE BILLS, MAKE PAYROLL. >> Reporter: HE COULDN'T AFFORD 120 00:17:13,866 --> 00:17:23,575 TO KEEP FIGHTING UNTIL HE HEARD OF AN INVESTMENT FIRM THAT BACKS PEOPLE IN HIS SITUATION. >> WE MAKE THE PLAYING FIELD 121 00:17:23,642 --> 00:17:32,851 LEVEL AND THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE WANTING IN LITIGATION. >> Reporter: CHRISTOPHER BOGART IS THE CEO AND FUND LITIGANTS 122 00:17:32,918 --> 00:17:38,424 AND TAKES A CHUNK OF THEIR AWARD IF THEY WIN. >> WE ARE A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY BECAUSE LITIGATION IS 123 00:17:38,490 --> 00:17:45,330 EXPENSIVE AND THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF DEMAND FROM BUSINESSES FOR THIS KIND OF SOLUTION. >> Reporter: SO IS IT A LOAN? 124 00:17:45,397 --> 00:17:53,138 >> IT'S A NONRECOURSE FINANCING. >> Reporter: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT IF THE 125 00:17:53,205 --> 00:17:58,710 CASE THAT WE'RE FINANCING DOESN'T SUCCEED, THEN WE DON'T GET OUR MONEY BACK. AND SO IT'S DIFFERENT FROM A 126 00:17:58,777 --> 00:18:05,484 LOAN IN THE SENSE THAT A LOAN OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE ALWAYS HAVING TO PAY BACK THE PRINCIPAL. >> Reporter: IF YOUR SIDE LOSES 127 00:18:05,551 --> 00:18:13,025 YOU GET NOTHING. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> Reporter: STILL, CRAIG UNDERWOOD WAS TORN BECAUSE IF HE 128 00:18:13,091 --> 00:18:19,131 WON THE APPEAL BURRFORD WOULD GET A BIG CHUNK. BUT SEEING NO OTHER CHOICE, HE TOOK $4 MILLION FROM THEM. 129 00:18:19,198 --> 00:18:29,241 SOON AFTER, HE WON THE APPEAL AND THE $23 MILLION. BUT THEN HE HAD TO PAY HIS LAWYERS AND SQUARE AWAY WITH 130 00:18:29,308 --> 00:18:36,682 BURFORD. >> WE HAD TO GIVE THEM $8 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE 4 THAT WE GOT AND THE 4 THAT WAS 131 00:18:36,748 --> 00:18:41,019 THEIR -- >> Reporter: DID YOU THINK WHEN YOU REALIZED THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT 132 00:18:41,086 --> 00:18:49,261 THAT THAT WAS PREDATORY? >> SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THAT. I DIDN'T FEEL THAT WAY BECAUSE THEY STEPPED IN AND HELPED US 133 00:18:49,328 --> 00:18:56,735 OUT WHEN WE COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN MONEY FROM ANYBODY ELSE. THEY BASICALLY RESCUED US. >> Reporter: FOUNDED IN 2009, 134 00:18:56,802 --> 00:19:04,243 BURFORD IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST LITIGATION FUNDER, WITH $5 BILLION INVESTED IN MULTIPLE LAWSUITS. 135 00:19:04,309 --> 00:19:10,115 IS IT ACTUALLY SAFER IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT TO INVEST IN LITIGATION THAN IN THE STOCK MARKET? 136 00:19:10,182 --> 00:19:19,258 >> WELL, THE BENEFIT THAT YOU GET FROM LITIGATION IS THAT LITIGATION DOESN'T FLUCTUATE THE SAME WAY THAT THE MARKETS DO. 137 00:19:19,324 --> 00:19:24,763 >> Reporter: WHAT'S YOUR AVERAGE INVESTMENT? >> WHEN WE'RE FINANCING A SINGLE PIECE OF LITIGATION, IT WOULD BE 138 00:19:24,830 --> 00:19:31,270 VERY RARE FOR US TO BE BELOW $5 MILLION. AND IT GOES UP FROM THERE. >> Reporter: LET'S SAY YOU HAVE 139 00:19:31,336 --> 00:19:39,244 A HUGE CASE WITH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WHAT KIND OF PERCENTAGE DO YOU EXPECT TO WIN AT THE END? 140 00:19:39,311 --> 00:19:46,552 >> ON AN AVERAGE BASIS WE'LL LARGELY DOUBLE OUR MONEY. >> Reporter: ARE THERE CASES WHERE YOU ACTUALLY WALKED AWAY 141 00:19:46,618 --> 00:19:52,958 WITH MORE MONEY THAN THE PLAINTIFF? THE PERSON WHO WAS WRONGED? >> SO THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY 142 00:19:53,025 --> 00:19:56,828 OFTEN. >> Reporter: BUT OCCASIONALLY. >> IT CERTAINLY CAN HAPPEN. >> Reporter: THERE IS NO LEGAL 143 00:19:56,895 --> 00:20:05,537 LIMIT ON HOW BIG A CHUNK LITIGATION FUNDERS CAN TAKE. AND THE DEALS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. BOGART ARGUES THE REASON THEY 144 00:20:05,604 --> 00:20:13,145 DEMAND SO MUCH IS BECAUSE OF THE BIG RISKS THEY TAKE. BUT ACTUALLY, THEY PICK THEIR CASES VERY CAREFULLY. 145 00:20:13,211 --> 00:20:16,582 SO THESE ARE ALL LAWYERS? >> INDEED THEY ARE. >> Reporter: WHAT ARE THEY DOING? 146 00:20:16,648 --> 00:20:24,690 >> THEY ARE FUNDAMENTALLY VETTING POTENTIAL CASES THAT WE MIGHT FINANCE FOR CORPORATE CLIENTS. 147 00:20:24,756 --> 00:20:30,729 WE CERTAINLY DO DILIGENCE ON THOSE MATTERS TO TRY TO CHOOSE ONES THAT ARE MERITORIOUS AND WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. 148 00:20:30,796 --> 00:20:35,334 >> Reporter: HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RIGHT? >> WE ARE RIGHT ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME AND WE'RE WRONG ABOUT 10% 149 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:41,006 OF THE TIME. >> Reporter: WOW. WHAT IF THE CLIENT YOU'VE GIVEN ALL THIS MONEY TO, INVESTED IN, 150 00:20:41,073 --> 00:20:47,913 WANTS TO SETTLE AND YOU THINK THAT'S A MISTAKE? >> CLIENTS ARE FREE TO RUN THEIR LITIGATIONS AS THEY SEE FIT. 151 00:20:47,980 --> 00:20:53,251 THEY ARE FREE TO WORK WITH THEIR LAWYERS AS THEY SEE FIT. WE DON'T INTERFERE WITH THAT RELATIONSHIP. 152 00:20:53,318 --> 00:20:59,524 IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR THEM TO COME AND ASK FOR OUR ADVICE, BUT IT'S ADVICE. AND THE CLIENT IS FREE TO 153 00:20:59,591 --> 00:21:10,068 DISREGARD THAT ADVICE AND TAKE ITS OWN PATH. >> Reporter: BUT MYA STEINETZ A LAW PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY 154 00:21:10,135 --> 00:21:15,140 OF IOWA SAYS THERE ARE ETHICS LAWS FOR LAWYERS BUT NOT THESE INVESTORS. >> THE FUNDERS ARE NOT 155 00:21:15,207 --> 00:21:19,077 REGULATED. THERE IS NOTHING PRECLUDING THEM LEGALLY FROM PRESSURING A CLIENT TO SETTLE. 156 00:21:19,144 --> 00:21:24,182 THE RULES OF ETHICS ARE VERY CLEAR THAT THE LAWYER HAS TO ABIDE BY THE WISHES OF THE CLIENT. 157 00:21:24,249 --> 00:21:28,086 BUT HUMAN NATURE IS HUMAN NATURE. >> Reporter: YES. >> THERE MAY BE AN INCLINATION 158 00:21:28,153 --> 00:21:33,158 TO BE PULLED TOWARD THE PERSON WHO IS PAYING. >> Reporter: WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? 159 00:21:33,225 --> 00:21:39,631 WHY SHOULD SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO IS NOT INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT CARE? >> FOR MULTIPLE REASONS. 160 00:21:39,698 --> 00:21:47,005 FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS THIS NEW INDUSTRY AND A NEW TYPE OF PLAYER, LITIGATION FUNDERS, WHO ARE RESHAPING EVERY ASPECT OF 161 00:21:47,072 --> 00:21:52,310 THE LITIGATION PROCESS, WHICH CASES GET BROUGHT, HOW LONG ARE THEY PURSUED, WHEN ARE THEY SETTLED? 162 00:21:52,377 --> 00:21:59,618 BUT ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING WITHOUT TRANSPARENCY SO WE HAVE ONE OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, THE JUDICIARY, THAT 163 00:21:59,685 --> 00:22:07,125 IS REALLY BEING QUIETLY TRANSFORMED AND -- >> Reporter: VERY LITTLE OVERSIGHT. 164 00:22:07,192 --> 00:22:13,265 >> VERY LITTLE OVERSIGHT. >> Reporter: WHO IS WORKING TO IMPOSE REGULATIONS, INSIST ON TRANSPARENCY IN THIS INDUSTRY? 165 00:22:13,331 --> 00:22:21,173 >> ONE ENTITY THAT HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL IS THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT REPRESENTS BIG BUSINESSES BECAUSE THE SECTOR 166 00:22:21,239 --> 00:22:29,581 THAT IS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THIS IS BIG CORPORATIONS. NOW THERE'S MONEY TO SUE THEM AND THERE'S MONEY TO PERSEVERE 167 00:22:29,648 --> 00:22:33,952 AND NOT SETTLE EARLY AT A DISCOUNT. >> Reporter: BIG BUSINESS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REGULATION. 168 00:22:34,019 --> 00:22:38,623 HOW INTERESTING. BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE REGULATION. >> YES. 169 00:22:38,690 --> 00:22:42,994 >> Reporter: EXCEPT WHEN IT HELPS THEM. >> GENERALLY. >> Reporter: BURFORD USUALLY 170 00:22:43,061 --> 00:22:49,367 FUNDS HUGE CASES INVOLVING BIG, SOPHISTICATED CORPORATIONS. THERE WERE ONLY A HANDFUL OF INVESTMENT FIRMS LIKE IT WHOSE 171 00:22:49,434 --> 00:22:55,874 BUSINESS IS SOLELY INVESTING IN LITIGATION. BUT HEDGE FUNDS, FOREIGN GOVERNMENT FUNDS, AND WEALTHY 172 00:22:55,941 --> 00:23:02,581 INDIVIDUALS ARE ALSO GETTING INTO THIS MARKET. BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS, IN MOST CASES 173 00:23:02,647 --> 00:23:11,289 LITIGATION FUNDERS REMAIN ANONYMOUS IN COURT. IN 2012, A BILLIONAIRE PETER TEAL SECRETLY FUNDED WRESTLER 174 00:23:11,356 --> 00:23:18,630 HULK HOGAN'S INVASION OF PRIVACY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE WEBSITE GAWKER THAT DROVE IT OUT OF BUSINESS. 175 00:23:18,697 --> 00:23:24,736 TEAL HAD HIS OWN, LONG STANDING SCORE TO SETTLE WITH THE SITE. >> IF YOU'VE BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT -- 176 00:23:24,803 --> 00:23:34,346 >> Reporter: BUT LITIGATION FUNDING ISN'T JUST FOR GIANT CASES WORTH GAZILLIONS. >> YOU CAN GET CASH AS SOON AS 177 00:23:34,412 --> 00:23:38,817 THE SAME DAY. >> Reporter: THESE ADS ARE FOR A WHOLE OTHER CATEGORY OF LITIGATION FUNDING COMPANIES 178 00:23:38,884 --> 00:23:42,654 THAT OFFER QUICK CASH. >> YOU CAN GET CASH IN AS LITTLE AS 24 HOURS. >> Reporter: DIRECTLY TO 179 00:23:42,721 --> 00:23:49,761 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUING IN SMALLER CASES USUALLY OVER PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS. >> FROM 500 TO -- 180 00:23:49,828 --> 00:23:55,367 >> Reporter: THEY NEED THE MONEY TO PAY THEIR HOUSEHOLD BILLS SO THEY CAN HOLD OUT FOR LARGER SETTLEMENTS. 181 00:23:55,433 --> 00:24:03,141 >> THE BEAUTY OF PRESETTLEMENT FUNDING IS THAT IF YOU LOSE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY BACK ANYTHING. >> Reporter: BUT IN THE ADS, IT 182 00:24:03,208 --> 00:24:10,715 IS EASY TO MISS THAT IF YOU WIN YOU MIGHT HAVE TO PAY A HEFTY SUM. THIS GROUP OF LITIGATION FUNDERS 183 00:24:10,782 --> 00:24:18,990 CHARGES SO MUCH BECAUSE, AGAIN, THEY SAY THE RISK IS SO HIGH. ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE APPLICANTS FOR THESE ADVANCES 184 00:24:19,057 --> 00:24:28,333 ARE OFTEN BROKE, INJURED, OUT OF WORK, AND WITH NO ASSETS. BUT WE FOUND RATES RUNNING HIGH EVEN WHEN THERE IS SEEMINGLY 185 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:39,244 MINIMAL OR NO RISK. TAKE THE CASE OF FORMER NYPD OFFICER DONALD SEFSIK ENTITLED TO MONEY FROM THE 9/11 VICTIMS' 186 00:24:39,311 --> 00:24:44,316 COMPENSATION FUND. HE BECAME ILL AFTER HE RACED TO GROUND ZERO. HOW LONG DID YOU STAY? 187 00:24:44,382 --> 00:24:50,922 >> I STAYED THERE APPROXIMATELY NINE DAYS. >> Reporter: INHALING ALL OF THAT DUST. 188 00:24:50,989 --> 00:24:56,862 >> YES. IT WAS SO MUCH DUST DOWN THERE THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE YOUR HAND OR FRONT OF YOUR FACE. 189 00:24:56,928 --> 00:25:00,498 >> Reporter: SO OBVIOUSLY YOU HAD MEDICAL ISSUES. >> YEAH. I COULDN'T RUN. 190 00:25:00,565 --> 00:25:06,004 I COULDN'T BREATHE. >> Reporter: SO YOU WERE ENTITLED FROM THAT VICTIMS COMPENSATION FUND. 191 00:25:06,071 --> 00:25:09,975 >> YES I WAS. >> Reporter: TO GET $90,000. >> YES. >> Reporter: YOU WERE TOLD YOU 192 00:25:10,041 --> 00:25:14,179 WOULD GET 90,000. >> YES. >> YOU GOT 10,000 UP FRONT. >> YES. 193 00:25:14,246 --> 00:25:20,652 >> Reporter: HE KNEW HE WOULD EVENTUALLY GET MORE BUT IN THE MEANTIME HE NEEDED MONEY FOR HIS MEDICAL CARE. 194 00:25:20,719 --> 00:25:27,692 SO AN AD IN THE PAPER CAUGHT HIS EYE. >> IT SAID R&D LEGAL FUNDING CAN GET YOUR MONEY FASTER. 195 00:25:27,759 --> 00:25:38,370 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 196 00:25:38,436 --> 00:25:43,141 THEM, THEY CAME BACK AT AN INTEREST RATE I COULDN'T EVEN FIGURE OUT. THE DOCUMENT WAS VERY CONFUSING. 197 00:25:43,208 --> 00:25:52,017 I COULDN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND IT. >> I'M A LAWYER 40 YEARS. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND IT. >> Reporter: MICHAEL BARRISH IS 198 00:25:52,083 --> 00:25:59,357 HIS LAWYER. >> THEY LENT HIM $25,000. HE HAD TO REPAY 64,800 DOLLARS. >> Reporter: THAT IS 150%. 199 00:25:59,424 --> 00:26:08,400 YOU PAID IT? >> I HAD NO CHOICE. I HAD NO CHOICE. I PAID IT OUT OF THE $90,000. 200 00:26:08,466 --> 00:26:13,772 I ENDED UP WITH ABOUT $30,000 OF IT. I FEEL TOTALLY JUST TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. 201 00:26:13,838 --> 00:26:20,812 >> Reporter: THE ARGUMENT FROM THIS INDUSTRY IS THAT THEY TAKE A BIG RISK WHEN THEY INVEST THIS MONEY. 202 00:26:20,879 --> 00:26:27,185 >> THIS IS NOT A CAR ACCIDENT CASE AGAINST A SMALL INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS WAS A 9/11 VICTIM 203 00:26:27,252 --> 00:26:34,092 COMPENSATION FUND CREATED BY CONGRESS AND BACKED BY THE U.S. TREASURY. >> Reporter: THE COMPANY TOLD US 204 00:26:34,159 --> 00:26:41,366 HIS CONTRACT WAS CLEAR. BUT HIS CASE WAS PART OF A LAWSUIT AGAINST RD LEGAL BROUGHT BY THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY 205 00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:48,907 GENERAL. IT SETTLED LAST MONTH. THE COMPANY DENIED WRONGDOING BUT HAD TO PROVIDE OVER $600,000 206 00:26:48,974 --> 00:27:00,485 IN DEBT RELIEF TO HARMED CONSUMERS, STOP DOING BUSINESS WITH RECIPIENTS OF 9/11 VICTIM COMPENSATION FUNDS, AND PAY A $1 207 00:27:00,552 --> 00:27:05,890 PENALTY. SO HOW DO LITIGATION FUNDERS LIKE THIS GET AWAY WITH CHARGING SUCH EXORBITANT RATES? 208 00:27:05,957 --> 00:27:14,299 IF YOU TAKE OUT, SAY, A CAR LOAN, USURY LAWS THAT PREVENT PREDATORY LENDING CAP THE INTEREST RATE. 209 00:27:14,366 --> 00:27:22,807 IN NEW YORK AT 16%. BUT REMEMBER, THESE AREN'T LOANS, PER SE. THEY'RE INVESTMENTS. 210 00:27:22,874 --> 00:27:32,650 LITIGATION FUNDERS FOR GIANT AND PERSONAL CASES ARGUE THAT THIS MARKET IS OFFERING A LIFE LINE TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE 211 00:27:32,717 --> 00:27:40,358 TO TURN. AND LEGAL SCHOLARS AGREE. >> ACCESSING THE COURTS IN A CIVIL PROCESS IS A LUXURY GOOD 212 00:27:40,425 --> 00:27:47,298 IN TODAY'S AMERICA. LAWYERS CHARGE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BY THE HOUR SO IF YOU'VE BEEN INJURED, IF YOU HAVE BEEN 213 00:27:47,365 --> 00:27:53,671 DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, IF A CONTRACT THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED INTO HAS BEEN BREACHED, IT IS SIMPLY TOO EXPENSIVE TO BRING 214 00:27:53,738 --> 00:27:59,577 YOUR CASE IN COURT. SO I THINK LITIGATION FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL. HOWEVER, PERSONALLY, I THINK 215 00:27:59,644 --> 00:28:16,761 THAT LITIGATION FUNDIN SHOULD BE REGULATED. BUT I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE 216 00:28:16,828 --> 00:28:23,401 >>> WITH A GRUELING PANDEMIC AND GRUESOME POLITICAL SEASON YOU'D BE FORGIVEN FOR GIVING UP ON THE IDEA OF MIRACLES. 217 00:28:23,468 --> 00:28:30,475 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 218 00:28:30,542 --> 00:28:39,017 THE SITE OF 70 MEDICAL MIRACLES RECOGNIZED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE MARIAN SHRINE IS FAMOUS TO 219 00:28:39,084 --> 00:28:44,389 THE FAITHFUL, BUT LESS WELL KNOWN IS THE LOURDES OFFICE OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS. THAT'S WHERE WORLD RENOWNED 220 00:28:44,456 --> 00:28:52,697 DOCTORS AND RESEARCHERS CONDUCT DECADE LONG INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE COUNTLESS CLAIMS OF CURES REPORTED OVER THE YEARS. 221 00:28:52,764 --> 00:29:00,271 THEY DETERMINE WHICH CASES CAN BE MEDICALLY EXPLAINED AND WHICH CANNOT. IT'S THOSE CHURCH OFFICIALS 222 00:29:00,338 --> 00:29:06,311 MIGHT CALL A MIRACLE. FOR THE DOCTORS IT'S A LESSON IN THE LIMITS OF MEDICINE. FOR THE DEVOUT, IT'S DIVINE 223 00:29:06,377 --> 00:29:18,189 INTERVENTION. THE SMALL FRENCH TOWN OF LOURDES TUCKED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE PYRENNEES MOUNTAINS DRAWS MORE 224 00:29:18,256 --> 00:29:26,564 THAN 3 MILLION PILGRIMS EVERY YEAR, MORE THAN TRAVEL TO MECCA OR JERUSALEM. AND ALMOST EVERYONE YOU MEET 225 00:29:26,631 --> 00:29:37,475 WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE HEARD STORIES OF MIRACLES HERE. BUT WE HEARD NONE MORE INSPIRING THAN THAT OF SISTER BERNADETTE. 226 00:29:37,542 --> 00:29:43,248 >> Translator: I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE HEALED. 227 00:29:43,314 --> 00:29:52,157 >> Reporter: WHAT WAS YOUR PROGNOSIS? >> Translator: TOTAL PARALYSIS. THE PROGNOSIS WAS REALLY DARK. 228 00:29:52,223 --> 00:30:01,699 >> Reporter: STROLLING WITH 83-YEAR-OLD SISTER THROUGH THE CHAPEL GROUND IN FRANCE WE FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT FOR HALF 229 00:30:01,766 --> 00:30:07,906 HER LIFE SHE SUFFERED FROM A DISORDER OF THE NERVES AND LOWER SPINE. YOU WORTH ALL THE TIME? 230 00:30:07,972 --> 00:30:18,583 HER LEFT FOOT, SHE SAID, WAS TWISTED AND LIMP. TO WALK AT ALL, SHE NEEDED THIS BACK AND LEG BRACE AND IMPLANT 231 00:30:18,650 --> 00:30:26,925 TO DULL NERVE PAIN AND MASSIVE DOSES OF MORPHINE. SHE TOLD US SHE HAD EXHAUSTED ALL TREATMENT OPTIONS SO IN 2008 232 00:30:26,991 --> 00:30:34,299 HER DOCTOR CONVINCED HER TO MAKE A PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES. DID YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES AT THE TIME? 233 00:30:34,365 --> 00:30:39,170 >> I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN MIRACLES BUT NOT FOR ME. >> Reporter: SO WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO? 234 00:30:39,237 --> 00:30:44,142 >> WELL, I DIDN'T GO THERE FOR A MIRACLE. I JUST WENT THERE TO PRAY WITH OTHERS. 235 00:30:44,209 --> 00:30:53,251 LOURDES IS A PLACE WHERE THE SMALLEST PEOPLE, ALL THE SICKEST, ALL THE POOREST. THEY COME FIRST. 236 00:30:53,318 --> 00:31:02,060 >> Reporter: THE SICKEST, THE POOREST, THE DISEASED AND DEBILITATED BEARING WOUNDS VISIBLE AND HIDDEN COME FROM ALL 237 00:31:02,126 --> 00:31:10,001 OVER THE WORLD, SEEKING TO BE HEALED BY THE SHRINE'S NATURAL SPRING WATERS AND THE POWER OF PRAYER. 238 00:31:10,068 --> 00:31:19,911 >> AND SO I'VE ASKED FOR COMPLETE HEALING OR A SUPER LONG REMISSION. >> Reporter: THIS WAS KIM 239 00:31:19,978 --> 00:31:25,883 HALPIN'S FIRST PILGRIMAGE. SHE FOUND OUT LAST YEAR SHE HAS INCURABLE BLOOD CANCER AND CAME ALL OF THE WAY FROM KANSAS TO 240 00:31:25,950 --> 00:31:34,492 CLEANSE HERSELF IN THE WATERS OF LOURDES. ARE YOU EXPECTING TO BE HEALED? >> NOT NECESSARILY. 241 00:31:34,559 --> 00:31:42,233 ASK FOR AS MUCH AS I WANT AND MAYBE I WILL BE BLESSED WITH PART OF IT. WHICH WILL BE OKAY. 242 00:31:42,300 --> 00:31:49,540 >> Reporter: HALPIN WAS AIDED BY HER SON, SHAWN. WE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THERE ARE AS MANY VOLUNTEERS AS 243 00:31:49,607 --> 00:31:55,546 SICK HERE. THE OUR LADY OF LOURDES HOSPITALITY NORTH AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS HELPED JAMIE JENSEN 244 00:31:55,613 --> 00:32:09,227 TRAVEL FROM MINNESOTA FOR HIS 18th VISIT. >> EVEN THOUGH THE CAMERA SEES I HAVE A CONDITION AND A CHAIR 245 00:32:09,294 --> 00:32:15,333 WHEN I'M HERE I DON'T HAVE A CONDITION. >> Reporter: JENSEN'S CONDITION IS CEREBRAL PALSY. 246 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:25,243 ALL THOSE TRIPS TO LOURDES HAVEN'T GIVEN HIM THE PHYSICAL MIRACLE HE WANTED BUT MAYBE HE SAYS HE GOT THE MIRACLE HE 247 00:32:25,310 --> 00:32:33,251 NEEDED. >> I WAS VERY BITTER, VERY ANGRY WITH MYSELF. >> Reporter: DID COMING TO 248 00:32:33,318 --> 00:32:39,524 LOURDES CHANGE YOUR HEART? >> VERY MUCH. >> Reporter: DO YOU CONSIDER THAT A MIRACLE? 249 00:32:39,590 --> 00:32:49,300 >> I DO, BECAUSE THERE'S A PEACE WITHIN MYSELF. >> Reporter: STORIES OF INNER PEACE AND ACCEPTANCE DON'T MEET 250 00:32:49,367 --> 00:32:58,943 THE BAR FOR THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS, AND WITH JUST 70 MEDICAL MIRACLES RECOGNIZED IN 160 YEARS, YOU'D 251 00:32:59,010 --> 00:33:06,617 HAVE BETTER ODDS PLAYING THE LOTTO, YET THOUSANDS OF FAITHFUL LINE UP AT THE BATHS AND AT THIS GROTTO WHERE THE FIRST MIRACLE 252 00:33:06,684 --> 00:33:19,163 IS SAID TO HAVE OCCURRED. THE SANCTUARY, WITH ITS THREE BASILICAS AND 25 CHAPELS IS LAID OUT LIKE A GRAND THEATRE 253 00:33:19,230 --> 00:33:26,571 COMPLEX. ITS MANY STAGES OFFER DOZENS OF PIOUS PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 254 00:33:26,637 --> 00:33:42,887 THE FINALE, A CANDLE LIT PROCESSION EVERY NIGHT. THERE WOULD BE NONE OF THIS WERE IT NOT FOR ST. BERNADETTE. 255 00:33:42,954 --> 00:33:52,330 ACCORDING TO CATHOLIC LORE IN 1858 A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN APPEARED IN THIS GROTTO TO BERNADETTE, A 14-YEAR-OLD PEASANT GIRL. 256 00:33:52,397 --> 00:34:04,475 THE BISHOP OF LOURDES SAYS THE WOMAN SPOKE WITH BERNADETTE SEVERAL TIMES OVER FIVE MONTHS. >> AND ONCE, THE 25th OF MARCH, 257 00:34:04,542 --> 00:34:13,785 THE DAY OF THE ANNUNCIATION, SHE SAID, I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. >> Reporter: WHEN WORD GOT OUT 258 00:34:13,851 --> 00:34:21,592 THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE VIRGIN MARY, HAD APPEARED IN LOURDES, PEOPLE FLOCKED TO THIS GROTTO AND WITHIN DAYS STARTED 259 00:34:21,659 --> 00:34:29,033 MAKING CLAIMS OF MIRACLE CURES, THE ABILITY TO WALK, RESTORED SIGHT. WORRIED ABOUT FUELING MASS 260 00:34:29,100 --> 00:34:36,774 HYSTERIA, THE CHURCH SET UP THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS IN 1883 TO INVESTIGATE THE CLAIMS. 261 00:34:36,841 --> 00:34:46,117 WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO THE OTHER BERNADETTE IN OUR STORY. 14 YEARS AGO, SHE FOUND HERSELF IN A WHEELCHAIR IN A PROCESSION 262 00:34:46,184 --> 00:34:53,458 AT LOURDES SEEKING THE INTERVENTION OF ST. BERNADETTE. >> I REALLY HAD THAT FEELING THAT THE LORD WAS WALKING WITH 263 00:34:53,524 --> 00:35:01,232 US. AND I HEARD HIM GIVING ME THESE WORDS, I SEE YOUR SUFFERING, AND THAT OF YOUR SICK BROTHERS AND 264 00:35:01,299 --> 00:35:04,836 SISTERS. JUST GIVE ME EVERYTHING. >> Reporter: YOU HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS? 265 00:35:04,902 --> 00:35:12,210 >> YES, I HEARD THIS IN A VOICE. I CAN'T REALLY TELL YOU WHOSE VOICE IT WAS. IT WAS LIKE A SPIRITUAL 266 00:35:12,276 --> 00:35:17,982 EXPERIENCE. >> Reporter: SHE SAID SHE RETURNED HOME REJUVENATED SPIRITUALLY BUT PHYSICALLY SHE 267 00:35:18,049 --> 00:35:25,690 FELT WORSE. AFTER THREE DAYS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN, SHE TOLD US SHE SUDDENLY FOUND THE STRENGTH TO WALK TO 268 00:35:25,756 --> 00:35:33,397 THE CHAPEL AND PRAY. >> THEN I FELT SOME KIND OF HEAT COMING INTO MY BODY. I FELT RELAXED BUT I DIDN'T 269 00:35:33,464 --> 00:35:39,036 REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT WAS MEANING. AND IN MY ROOM, I HEARD THIS INNER VOICE AGAIN TELLING ME, 270 00:35:39,103 --> 00:35:45,843 TAKE ALL YOUR BRACES OFF. I DIDN'T THINK TWICE. I STARTED TAKING MY FOOT BRACE OFF. 271 00:35:45,910 --> 00:35:51,883 AND MY FOOT THAT USED TO BE CROOKED WAS STRAIGHT. AND I COULD ACTUALLY PUT IT ON THE GROUND WITHOUT FEELING ANY 272 00:35:51,949 --> 00:35:55,152 PAIN. >> Reporter: ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR FOOT WAS STRAIGHT. >> YES, LIKE THAT. 273 00:35:55,219 --> 00:36:02,159 LIKE IT IS JUST NOW. AND SO I KEPT GOING. >> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE TOOK OFF THE BRACES AND STOPPED THE 274 00:36:02,226 --> 00:36:11,769 MORPHINE ALL AT ONCE. DID THIS MAKE SENSE TO YOU? >> NO, I KNEW IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. >> Reporter: SHE CAME TO MY DOOR 275 00:36:11,836 --> 00:36:23,014 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. 276 00:36:23,080 --> 00:36:28,486 >> Reporter: THE DOCTOR HEARS STORIES LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME. AS THE PRESIDENT AND RESIDING PHYSICIAN AT THE LOURDES OFFICE 277 00:36:28,553 --> 00:36:35,126 OF MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS THE FORMER PEDIATRICIAN'S JOB IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS MORE TO THOSE STORIES BY APPLYING 278 00:36:35,192 --> 00:36:43,067 SEVEN STRICT CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE CHURCH. >> WE ARE LOOKING FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND IF THAT DIAGNOSIS 279 00:36:43,134 --> 00:36:51,442 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 280 00:36:51,509 --> 00:37:01,018 CURED IN A WAY THAT ONE WOULD SAY SUDDENLY, IN AN INSTANTANEOUS WAY, IN A COMPLETE WAY, IN A WAY LASTING IN TIME, 281 00:37:01,085 --> 00:37:09,794 AND MY SEVENTH CRITERIA THAT HAS TO MATCH IS THERE MUST BE NO POSSIBLE EXPLANATION TO THAT CURE. 282 00:37:09,860 --> 00:37:16,267 SISTER BERNADETTE. >> Reporter: HE SHOWED US THE ARCHIVES WHICH SHOW THOUSANDS OF RECORDED CLAIMS OF CURES. 283 00:37:16,334 --> 00:37:22,173 THIS FEELS LIKE IT'S ALMOST TEN POUNDS. THE DOCTOR IS A PRACTICING CATHOLIC AND TOLD US WHAT 284 00:37:22,239 --> 00:37:31,616 SEPARATES THE MORE THAN 7,000 CLAIMS OF CURES FROM THE 70 THE CHURCH CALLS MIRACLES IS AN UN-GODLY AMOUNT OF MEDICAL 285 00:37:31,682 --> 00:37:39,890 DOCUMENTATION AND PATIENTS LIKE SISTER BERNADETTE WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIVES UNDER A MICROSCOPE. >> WE SENT HER TO DIFFERENT 286 00:37:39,957 --> 00:37:46,063 NEUROLOGISTS. WE SENT HER TO DIFFERENT RHEUMATOLOGISTS BECAUSE OF THE SPECIFIC CASE OF HER DISEASE. 287 00:37:46,130 --> 00:37:56,607 WE ASKED TO REPEAT TWICE ALL SORTS OF IMAGERY. ELECTRO PHYSIOLOGY. WE DID ALL WE WOULD DO IN 288 00:37:56,674 --> 00:38:01,412 MEDICINE TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE OF HER DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS. >> Reporter: BUT HE WANTED TO CONFIRM SOMETHING ELSE 289 00:38:01,479 --> 00:38:08,853 >> I WAS ASKED TO MEET WITH TWO PSYCHIATRISTS PSYCHIATRISTS IN PARIS. THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF I WAS 290 00:38:08,919 --> 00:38:14,692 LYING. IF I HAD ALREADY HAD ANY HALLUCINATIONS. IF I HAD LEVITATED. 291 00:38:14,759 --> 00:38:23,501 I REMEMBER ANSWERING, NO, DOCTOR, I NEVER LEFT THE GROUND FLOOR. >> Reporter: SATISFIED, THE 292 00:38:23,567 --> 00:38:31,375 DOCTOR SENT THE CASE TO A GROUP OF 33 DOCTORS AND PROFESSORS CALLED THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL COMMITTEE OF LOURDES. 293 00:38:31,442 --> 00:38:39,383 ITS JOB IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER A CURE IS WHAT THEY CONSIDER MEDICALLY UNEXPLAINED. >> WE'RE NOT TRYING TO REEL 294 00:38:39,450 --> 00:38:43,788 SOMETHING IN OR OUT. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE OBJECTIVE. >> Reporter: YOU COULD CALL THEM 295 00:38:43,854 --> 00:38:53,698 THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATES. DR. MICHAEL MORAN, A SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST. A PROFESSOR OF UROLOGY AT JOHN 296 00:38:53,764 --> 00:39:01,172 HOPKINS. AND A RENOWNED ADDICTION SPECIALIST SCRUTINIZED SISTER BERNADETTE'S CASE. 297 00:39:01,238 --> 00:39:13,484 IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED HER RESPONSE? >> NO TREATMENT WOULD BE THAT EFFECTIVE THAT QUICKLY. 298 00:39:13,551 --> 00:39:21,425 >> Reporter: DOES RELIGION ENTER INTO YOUR MEDICAL CONVERSATION? >> WE CANNOT SEPARATE OURSELVES AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEEPLY 299 00:39:21,492 --> 00:39:27,898 IMMERSED IN THE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF LOURDES AND THE CHURCH, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE'RE JUST AS TECHNICAL AS A 300 00:39:27,965 --> 00:39:33,504 FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING AT THE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE CASE. >> Reporter: AFTER EIGHT YEARS 301 00:39:33,571 --> 00:39:42,513 OF INVESTIGATION, THE COMMITTEE DETERMINED THE CASE WAS MEDICALLY UNEXPLAINED. SO WHEN YOU DO A SURVEY, THE 302 00:39:42,580 --> 00:39:52,490 INVESTIGATION OF SISTER BERNADETTE'S OR ANY OF THE OTHER CURES, THIS IS DONE ON A PURELY MEDICAL BASIS, SOMETHING THAT 303 00:39:52,556 --> 00:39:57,294 COULD BE PEER REVIEWED BY OTHER PHYSICIANS OUTSIDE. >> NOT COULD. THAT IS. 304 00:39:57,361 --> 00:40:12,009 I CAN AFFIRM WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT THE CASE OF SISTER BERNADETTE HAD BEEN REVIEWED, READ, BY AT LEAST 300 305 00:40:12,076 --> 00:40:18,783 PHYSICIANS. AND TOMORROW MORNING IF ANY OF OUR VIEWERS IS A DOCTOR AND ONE DAY HE STOPS IN FRANCE AND COMES 306 00:40:18,849 --> 00:40:28,926 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 307 00:40:28,993 --> 00:40:32,530 OPEN AND COLLEGIAL AND NO SECRETS. >> Reporter: THE SECRET IS THE MYSTERY OF IT ALL. 308 00:40:32,596 --> 00:40:41,272 AND ON THAT THE CHURCH GETS THE LAST WORD. IN 2018, A DECADE AFTER HER CURE, SISTER BERNADETTE'S CASE 309 00:40:41,338 --> 00:40:53,317 WAS DECLARED THE 70th MIRACLE OF LOURDES. >> DECLARING A MIRACLE IS SAYING GOD DID SOMETHING. 310 00:40:53,384 --> 00:41:00,357 THIS IS THE MIRACLE. AND THE DOCTORS CANNOT GO ON THAT LAND, ON THAT FIELD. >> Reporter: WHEN I TOLD PEOPLE 311 00:41:00,424 --> 00:41:06,530 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. 312 00:41:06,597 --> 00:41:13,003 WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE SKEPTICS? >> COME AND SEE. BE OPEN. DON'T BE NARROW MINDED. 313 00:41:13,070 --> 00:41:26,183 BE OPEN TO BELIEVE THAT THE REAL WORLD IS WIDER THAN THE VISIBLE ONE. >> Reporter: IT'S BEEN SAID 314 00:41:26,250 --> 00:41:32,923 ABOUT LOURDES FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE NO EXPLANATION IS NECESSARY. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT, NO 315 00:41:32,990 --> 00:41:43,367 EXPLANATION IS 316 00:41:47,504 --> 00:41:58,549 >>> THE LAST MINUTE OF "60 MINUTES" IS SPONSORED BY UNITED HEALTHCARE. GET MEDICARE WITH MORE. 317 00:41:58,616 --> 00:42:05,422 >>> IN THIS SEASON WHEN THE DAYS GROW SHORT AND LIGHT IS AT A PREMIUM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BROUGHT GOOD NEWS FROM THE 318 00:42:05,489 --> 00:42:12,630 LABORATORY OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH ATOMIC ARMAGEDDON. THE LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY AFTER DECADES OF 319 00:42:12,696 --> 00:42:20,037 DISAPPOINTING EXPERIMENTS HAS ACHIEVED A NUCLEAR FUSION REACTION THAT PRODUCES MORE POWER THAN IT CONSUMES. 320 00:42:20,104 --> 00:42:29,380 FUSION ENERGY, THE SAME PROCESS THE SUN USES TO CREATE HEAT AND LIGHT, PROMISES TO BE CLEAN, CHEAP, AND NEARLY UNEXPENDABLE. 321 00:42:29,446 --> 00:42:37,554 IT PRODUCES NEITHER GREENHOUSE GASES NOR NUCLEAR WASTE. THE BREAKTHROUGH'S PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS ARE YEARS, EVEN 322 00:42:37,621 --> 00:42:43,827 DECADES AWAY. BUT IN THIS SEASON OF HOPE, IT SHEDS A LITTLE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS. 323 00:42:43,894 --> 00:42:48,666 I'M BILL WHITAKER. HAPPY HANUKAH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. WE'LL BE BACK CHRISTMAS NIGHT 324 00:42:48,732 --> 00:42:55,172 WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "60