Man was planning to wed his fiancée when cancer struck—hospital staff’s 48-hour plan gave him a moment he’ll never forget
Some events might make a person believe that everything is possible. A groom with cancer had hoped to get married to his long-term fiancée. However, a couple of weeks before their actual wedding date, the man, Karl Marsh, had a chest infection and had to be admitted to a hospice. His health was also declining at that time. When the staff came to know about the couple's situation, they managed to prepare a big surprise for them in less than 48 hours, according to a press release from the hospice, Katherine House Hospice.
Karl was supposed to get married to his fiancée, Sarah Wooley, on November 22 at the Stafford Registry Office. However, as Karl's condition was worsening, they hoped to get married sooner. The man had been diagnosed with cancer back in May 2024. He had visited the hospice in October for care during his treatment and had been discharged after some time. So, the couple planned to get married in late November. Karl and Sarah had known each other since 2010 and had reunited as a couple during the Christmas of 2022. However, when he had to go to the hospice because of his chest infection, the man expressed his wish to get married to Sarah as soon as possible.
Nonetheless, Karl hadn't expected that the hospital staff would manage to arrange a wedding for the couple on November 9, not even two days after he came in. The ceremony was also everything he had hoped for and more. The staff arranged for everything from the officiant to the food and the wedding cake at short notice. The inpatient lead nurse, Georgia, put a word out in the community and people and businesses showed up to make the couple's day special. Sainsbury’s Stafford donated food and the cake for the wedding. The catering staff at the hospice, Gary and Maxine, made a special breakfast to celebrate the couple's big day. A business called "Head Over Heels Venue Dressing" provided the decoration for free.
A volunteer chaplain, Reverend David Clark, got a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Faculty Office so he could marry the couple at the hospice. The staff ensured that the place looked like an actual wedding venue and left no stone unturned for the same. "It was a joy to officiate their wedding and a privilege to be invited into their lives at such a time. They taught me a great deal about love, resilience and tenderness," Revd Clark expressed. "It felt amazing to make this happen for Karl and Sarah. We rose to the challenge and made their day as special as we possibly could. Their love is truly inspiring," Georgia pointed out.
30 family and friends were able to attend the ceremony as well. The couple had talked about getting married quite often since Karl's diagnosis. "We should have done it years ago. One evening we just looked at each other and said, 'Shall we get married?' — and that was that!" Sarah went on. She added, "When he came home again, I felt his symptoms had worsened, so I liaised with the hospice and planned his re-admission on Saturday, 8 November. However, we had our wedding planned for 22 November and we decided we wanted to bring this forward." The woman continued, "Karl says he feels safe here and he relaxes… which makes me feel safe. I have all the love and support from the care team. Nothing is too much trouble."