End-of-life cancer patient marries girlfriend at hospice center

A dying cancer patient married his girlfriend in an emotional ceremony organized by strangers gathered at his hospice bedside.

Karl Marsh, 52, had hoped to marry Sarah, 42, at the registry office, but the couple changed their plans as his health deteriorated.

Marsh was diagnosed with tongue cancer in May last year and is receiving palliative care at Catherine House Hospice in Stafford.

Staff transformed his room into a makeshift wedding chapel for the couple who said “I do” on Memorial Day.

Heartbreaking photos show Marsh lying in a hospice bed holding hands with his bride as they exchange vows.

Thanks to the generosity of strangers, this touching wedding took place in less than 48 hours.

The couple, who both live in Stafford, had planned to get married on November 22.

But the wedding was postponed until Sunday after the cancer spread to Marsh’s lungs, bones and brain.

Thanks to the hospice staff, well-wishers paid for the flowers, venue decoration, cake and everything needed for the event.

A white carpet was also laid out at the door so Sarah could walk down the aisle in front of 30 family and friends.

The couple said their vows in a tear-jerking ceremony, surrounded by friends and family.

Sarah said: “We should have done this years ago.

“One night we looked at each other and said, ‘Shall we get married?’ — and that was it.”

The couple first met as friends in 2010 and became a couple in 2022.

They decided to get married last May after Carl was diagnosed with cancer.

Last month, Marsh’s health deteriorated and he was moved to a hospice where he continued to receive radiation treatments.

Sarah added: “We planned to send him home but five days later he developed a chest infection and had to return to hospital.

“When he came home again I felt his symptoms had worsened so I contacted the charity doctor and planned for him to be readmitted to hospital again on Saturday 8 November.

“However, our wedding was originally scheduled for November 22, so we decided to bring it forward.

“When Carl is here, he feels safe and relaxed.

“This team is unbelievable, nothing is too much. What they do for us is indescribable.

“This is truly the best day we could have ever hoped for.”

The couple were married by Reverend David Clark, who applied for a special wedding license from the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office.

He said: “It was a pleasure to officiate Sarah and Carl’s wedding and an honor to be invited into their lives at such a time.

“They taught me so much about love, resilience and tenderness.

“The hospice team worked wonders and transformed their treatment and wellness center into a beautiful wedding venue.”