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Cancer patients' homes cleaned for free

When Bearman and her husband started their company, free home cleaning for cancer patients was their first order of business.

FARMINGTON, Minn. - The tidy yard gives no indication of the unsettled times inside the home.

“It was stage three breast cancer,” says Jan Yale, now several weeks into her treatment.

Yale knew her chemotherapy would bring side effects, yet a dirty house was not one she considered.

“The fatigue just keeps getting worse,” Yale says. “The idea of climbing into the bathtub and scrubbing the bathtub is just completely impossible, you don't even consider it, because I just can't, can't do it.”

But today when Jan left for chemo, angels took her place.

“Whatever helps is what I'm here for,” says Cindy Bearman, co-owner of Green Darlene cleaning service.

When Bearman and her husband started their company, free home cleaning for cancer patients was their first order of business.

For Cindy Bearman, it was personal. She’s a breast cancer survivor herself.

“I was diagnosed in May of 1999,” she says. “I know what it feels like to be in that situation, so helping just seems natural.”

Last year the Bearmans cleaned the homes of 30 cancer patients. If they find the corporate sponsorship they're seeking they'd like to more than triple that.

“Then we could go back more than once to a house, which we think is very important,” says David Bearman.

The Bearman's call their gifts “Angel Clean.” Fitting, since Jan Yale considers the Bearmans heaven sent.

“I'm going to be able to come home now tonight and just say, ‘You know what, I don't have to do anything, it's done,’” Yale says.

By then Cindy Bearman will also be home, plenty tired herself, but feeling every bit as satisfied.

“It just feels good, it always feels good at the end of the day,” Bearman says.

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