BUNNELL , Florida ( CNN ) -- Faith Coleman had no health insurance when she learned she had cancer , but she describes her battle with the illness as `` one of the absolute greatest blessings '' of her life . Faith Coleman 's ordeal as an uninsured cancer patient drove her to help others without health insurance . `` Having kidney cancer was one of the best things that ever happened to me ... because I can truly empathize with patients , '' said Coleman , 54 . That compassion inspired Coleman to open a free clinic in her Florida community to help other uninsured people in need of medical care . In July 2003 , Coleman , a nurse practitioner , learned she had a malignant tumor growing on her right kidney . But as a contract worker for several doctors , she did not receive health insurance . Coleman 's treatment totaled about $ 35,000 , and she was forced to take out a mortgage on her house to help pay for it . `` I [ fell ] through the crack ... and I [ had ] a great job and a good education , '' said Coleman , a mother of six . Realizing that her financial and health woes were not unique , Coleman -- now in remission -- became determined to help those in similar situations access medical treatment . `` I have been given another chance , and I felt that it was important for me to make a difference and to help other people , '' she said . So after her recovery in 2004 , Coleman approached Dr. John Canakaris . The local physician with 60 years of experience had been treating the indigent population for years . Canakaris was eager to reach more patients in need . The two worked together to establish the Flagler County Free Clinic in Bunnell , Florida , which provides medical care for the uninsured . It has treated more than 6,700 patients . The clinic opened its doors in February 2005 , with eight volunteers treating eight patients . Since then , it has expanded to 120 volunteers who see about 80 patients every other weekend . Coleman said she 's seen an increase in the number of patients at the clinic , which serves people who meet federal poverty guidelines . `` If you see 100 cars in the parking lot , that 's us ! '' Coleman said , describing how she tells people the way to find the clinic . `` We have what I call 'controlled chaos . ' It 's just busy , busy , busy , go , go , go . '' Watch the `` controlled chaos '' at the clinic » . Health insurance : 'Nebulous , fairy-like thing ' Flagler County has a 15.5 percent unemployment rate -- the highest in Florida -- according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Living without medical insurance often is the only way for some local struggling families to make ends meet , Coleman said . `` When your health insurance [ premium ] is the same or more than your mortgage payment on your home , which one do you think they 're going to choose ? '' Coleman asked . `` They have to live . They have to eat . Insurance becomes the nebulous fairy-like thing that 's flying around out here . It would be nice to have because it 's silver and shiny and pretty , but it 's too expensive to hold on to . So it has to go , '' she said . The clinic , which operates out of a building donated by Canakaris and other doctors for use on the weekends , is not affiliated with any hospitals , Coleman said . The local Rotary Club , churches and private contributions help fund the operation . In addition , physicians volunteer to see patients recommended by the clinic , and an imaging center donates two X-rays and two CAT scans per month . Coleman says she and her team generally treat common illnesses like diabetes , hypertension and other chronic diseases , but adds `` we 've also found a lot of cancers . '' Many diagnoses have led to life-saving treatments . Watch Coleman interact with patients at her clinic » . `` I had this lump growing in my throat on the right side and it just kept getting bigger and bigger , and I did n't have any insurance , '' said Franklin Dias , a cancer survivor . `` Ms. Coleman called in one of her buddies who said this is an emergency ... [ then ] I was in the hospital . '' Today , Dias is cancer-free . And to show his appreciation of the clinic , he bakes . `` I paid them in banana bread , zucchini bread , pumpkin bread , '' Dias said . Emilio Viera , a Cuban immigrant , also credits Coleman with saving his life . `` She was perfect , she was precise , she was accurate , '' said Viera . `` I 'll be very grateful all my life to Ms. Coleman . She 's 'Faith , ' and when you have five minutes with her she makes you have faith . '' Want to get involved ? Check out the Flagler County Free Clinic and see how to help .
Faith Coleman was uninsured when she found out she had kidney cancer . Her experience inspired her to help others with similar financial , health issues . Score: 7