Plumber fixed a leak at the home of 91-year-old lady with cancer and his invoice is now going viral

The plumber had come to do his job but his thoughtfulness and exceptional service left the woman smiling in gratitude.

UPDATED NOV 11, 2024

(L) Plumber fixing leak at old woman's house. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| coldsnowstorm) (R) Invoice close-up. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Steven Puetzer)

Kindness is not hard to render. Every space we find ourselves in has a call to share thoughtfulness if we only look around. The most common instance is that of one’s workplace. With coworkers, customers and even others, the list is endless. James Anderson, a plumber, wholesomely made a remarkable gesture for a 91-year-old terminally ill woman, per CNN. The man had been called to fix a leak in her home and when he had to share the invoice, he presented them with a heartwarming one. The woman’s daughter, Christine Anne Rowolands, shared the invoice on Facebook with a touching message.

Plumber concentrated on fixing leakage in customer's home. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Nazar Rybak)

Anderson owns a non-profit plumbing company called DEPHER (Disabled & Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair), per CBS News. Taking no wages and keeping in mind the needs of others, the man has a special mission he’s working towards. When he came across the elderly woman who had been battling cancer, he straight away knew what he was to do. The woman shared in her post that her mum’s boiler was leaking and needed to be fixed when they contacted Anderson. “He was just dropping someone off near mum's and called in to fix the boiler,” she wrote.

Plumber happily fixing leakage. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Blackcat)

Anderson did the job well and said he’d email the invoice. He did in fact, share the bill but it wasn’t anything the family expected. The bill shared the work he had done with a note that read, "Old lady, 91 years of age.” It was also added that the woman had acute leukemia and would be provided with “end-of-life care.” “A lot of elderly and disabled people don’t like asking for assistance and if they can’t afford something like fixing the boiler, they might not do it and get into trouble. We are there to take that worry away,” Anderson explained. The invoice also had a note that said, “No charge for this lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24 hours to help and keep her as comfortable as possible.”

Plumber chatting with elderly woman as he fixes leakage in her home. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by sturti)

Anderson considered it nothing but his duty to reach out to the elderly and those in need. Though it is a challenge sometimes to keep up with funds, he does his best to provide the services many are in need of and cannot afford. “As long as I have enough money to fill up the tank in my car, I will be there to try and help the people who need it,” he remarked. Sharing a poignant factor he observed about elderly people, Anderson was sure to change the stereotype, one customer at a time. “They don't like asking for help. They don't want to be a burden. We take away the burden, the stigma," he assured, per BBC News.

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Anderson wants no money or payment in any form. However, he is honored to “receive a smile and a cup of tea,” and that’s about it. The woman is immensely grateful for the kind help and her daughters too, are delighted to have come across Anderson’s service and heart of gold. Rowlands referred to him as an “angel dressed as a plumber,” for the kindness he exercised. “It makes me feel human, humble and a little giddy inside… I want to expand this service across the country. I will never give up the fight. We all do what we can and we all come together as a community. We need to be a human race, to look out for each other,” he shared.