Parrish Healthcare Fulfills Cancer Patient’s Wish with Wedding Celebration

TITUSVILLE, FLA. (Sept. 12, 2025) - Parrish Medical Center transformed its chapel into a wedding venue last month to honor the heartfelt wish of a patient facing a stage four cancer diagnosis.

When James, a patient in his 40s, learned he had stage four colon cancer, he and his longtime partner, Melissa, shared a dream with Parrish’s care team: they wanted to be married. Within a week, Parrish employees and community supporters turned that dream into a reality, arranging an intimate ceremony and reception filled with love, compassion and community spirit.

The celebration included a licensed officiant, floral arrangements, music, photography, marriage license, wedding cake in James’ favorite flavor and more. Decorations transformed the Jerald Smith All Faiths Chapel at Parrish Medical Center, while the fifth floor nurses’ break room became a reception space where family, friends and hospital staff joined the couple to celebrate.

Community partners—including Floral Creations by Dawn, R.L. Photography, Titusville Firehouse Subs, Parties by Krystal and Sprengergarten Event Venue—generously donated or discounted services to make the day possible.

“Witnessing the love James and Melissa have for one another, during likely one of the most challenging times in their lives, is both humbling and encouraging,” said Parrish Healthcare’s urologist Justo González, MD, who served on James’ care team. “I am grateful for the relationship I developed with them both, and hope their story serves as a reminder of how delicate and fragile our lives are. As their story demonstrates, our lives can change at any second.” Dr. González continued.

Following the ceremony, more than 100 Parrish Care Partners lined the hallway for a celebratory clap-out, applauding and cheering as James and Melissa exited the chapel as husband and wife.

“This was more than an act of service—it was an act of humanity,” said George Mikitarian, President and CEO of Parrish Healthcare. “Our Care Partners demonstrated the very best of who we are: people who care deeply, who go beyond titles and tasks and who understand that healing takes many forms.”

Melissa has created a GoFundMe campaign to help ease the financial burdens that will accompany James’ ongoing care journey at http://gofund.me/3281c36e. Contributions will assist with a variety of needs, including living expenses while James is unable to work, ongoing treatment and more.

“Our wedding day was nothing short of magical,” said Melissa. “We couldn’t have done it without the love and support of the hospital staff. Thank you to everyone who made this memory possible—we will treasure it forever.”