05-05-2025
Erie community rallies behind woman with cancer
Lisa Mills had been working as an Erie County corrections officer for over 25 years, when just weeks ago, she was met with the unthinkable.
'I had to spend my 57th birthday in the hospital in St. Vincent's from March 11th to the 18th, and they told me the day that I got discharged that I had pancreatic adenocarcinoma stage 4 aggressive terminal, so that just blew me out of the water,' said Lisa Mills, Erie County Prison Correctional Officer.
Mills, also known as 'Big Momma,' said she's keeping a positive mind about the Sunday, the Erie community came to the Perry Hiway Hose Company on Oliver Road to raise money for her treatment and support the 'Big Momma' that's always looked out for them.
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'Everybody calls me 'Big Momma' at work because I'm everybody's big momma. Everybody loves me, and everybody comes to me with all their problems, and I try to help solve them. So, we have a good time at work some days, but some days are crazy, but all in all, I wouldn't trade it for anything,' said Mills.
The fundraiser gave supporters a variety of ways to donate to Mills, such as basket raffles, t-shirt sales, 50/50 raffles, food and drink sales, and a 'pie-in-the-face' competition, where Mills' coworkers faced off to raise the most money with the winner getting a pie to the face.
'She makes a difference because she loves her job. I have never seen her upset at work, she likes to help out the inmates, and it's a very tough job to be in,' said Douglas Patterson, event organizer and Mills' co-worker.
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Patterson said the fundraiser couldn't have been possible without all of their sponsors, raffle donations and overall support from the Erie community.
Coming up next Big Momma will be heading to Texas to try and qualify for clinical trials, and she says she is beyond grateful for the love and support.
'I know God has the last say, and hey, I think I'm going to be alright,' said Mills.
If you would like to donate to Mills and her battle against cancer, you can contact Douglas Patterson at 814-806-4618 or dpatterson004@
You can also use Cashapp to pay Mills directly at '$blackjackdiva'.
Patterson says you can also send donations in lieu of Mills to the Erie County Prison.
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