Cathy and Curtis brought forward their marriage solemnisation ceremony and held it in a ward at Tseung Kwan O Hospital so Cathy’s mother, Wanfang, could witness the milestone. Wanfang has late-stage cancer, is confined to bed for treatment and needs oxygen.
The couple had originally planned a wedding-related ceremony, but changed their arrangements because of Wanfang’s condition and treatment. One report said a wedding and banquet had been scheduled for late August, while another said the couple had planned to sign their marriage papers at a church. The reports did not clarify whether these referred to the same event.
Hospital medical staff and the chaplaincy department turned the ward into a ceremony venue within a few hours. The reports said balloons were used as decorations, and Curtis said he was surprised by the setting.
Wanfang watched from her hospital bed as Cathy and Curtis read their vows and exchanged rings. Cathy was briefly unable to hold back her tears.
During the ceremony, Wanfang encouraged Curtis to treat her daughter well and said she had fulfilled her responsibility as a mother. She told the couple she hoped they would live happily together.
Cathy said she hoped the ceremony would give her mother greater motivation to continue fighting cancer. Wanfang replied that she would try and said she had no regrets.
Medical staff recorded the ceremony, and the hospital later shared the story on social media. i-CABLE News also reported that the hospital chief attended to offer Wanfang encouragement.