A very sick 29-year-old patient, dying of cancer and a history of heart disease was admitted to CDU and then transferred later to 5 Pavilion (5P). Plans were being made for this patient and his Fiancé. Tamara DaCosta's team was starting to prepare and had contacted Marketing and the chaplain. Unfortunately, he received news that there was nothing more to do for him. At that time, he was transferred to 5 Pavilion where our director contact Astrid our PCS, and now the 5P team who all jumped into action. They collaborated to give the safest quality care to this patient while planning a wedding in the hospital's chapel.

The staff was very innovative. The lead on this project was Astrid who coordinated the occasion. She even went home that night and created (out of wood) a beautifully carved box to hold the rings and as a keepsake. Our night nurse Corinne bought a cake to bring in. Katie videoed the entire ceremony blessed by our Chaplin, while present working and non-working staff joined. Seth was the usher. The patient was wheeled down in a wheelchair while being monitored closely since he was so weak and with an unstable heart condition as well. We were committed to maintaining the highest standards of clinical care and service excellence throughout. This was a very emotional ceremony, as an organization that is guided by our mission in the spirit of Jesus Christ and the Judea-Christian ethic, rooted in the utmost integrity and moral practice. The patient was accompanied by his family and 2 daughters beside him. We provided the most compassionate gesture that we could offer him by granting his last wish. Nursing staff from 5P, CDU and other disciplines attended the ceremony as well. There was not a dry eye in the chapel.

The strength and composure that this young man showed us all as he married the love of his life next to his two daughters was all worth the while. We were all privileged as well as proud to be part of such an amazing occasion and to not be forgotten but to learn from it. Every day of life is a gift and we felt that, instead of us giving him this ceremony as a gift, he was the one to actually gave us the real meaning of "a gift of life" to "not” forget how precious every moment is! This is what our organization is all about to treat people regardless of religion, creed, race, or national origin with the utmost care and integrity. Our patients are all precious and we are in their lives as visitors which may be at the worst moment of their lives. It is a reminder to continue to advocate and show empathy towards our patients and one another. The members of the team were staff who volunteered out of the goodness of their hearts.