Alexander Santos was diagnosed with a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor in November 2022. Ever since, he’s has been a regular at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown for treatments. Sadly, Piedmont announced on Wednesday that Santos’s body has not been responding well to the treatments. Worse yet, the cancer has spread to his brain, and is now considered terminal.
“I’m with the person I love and wouldn’t change anything for the world,” Santos told Piedmont.
The 25-year-old’s last wish was to marry his fiancé, Heather, and so the team at Piedmont sprung into action to help make the ceremony happen.
From nursing to patient experience to pastoral care, Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown devised a multi-departmental effort to ensure the wedding could happen. The hospital found a minister, helped Santos and Heather secure a marriage license, gathered decorations, provided catering — even helped the couple find a wedding dress and a tuxedo.
“I want to get right with the Lord before I leave,” Santos said, when asked why he wanted to get married.
Santos is from Colorado, while Heather is a Columbus native. They met four years ago and have a 2-year-old son.
“Thanks to caring staff members who have been like family to them, the couple said ‘I do’ inside Alex’s hospital room,” Piedmont reported in a news release on Wednesday.
Family and friends of the lovely couple flew from across the country to participate in the special day
Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown took to social media on Thursday to share Santos and Heather’s story.
“The staff’s extraordinary efforts created a special moment filled with love and compassion and made a positive difference in Alexander’s battle against cancer,” Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown said on Instagram.
