Child Leukemia Patient 'Married' a Nurse in New York ‘Wedding Ceremony’: ‘We Sealed the Deal With Ring Pops’

Child Leukemia Patient Marries a Nurse

A four-year-old childhood cancer patient has "married" a nurse at a "wedding ceremony" held at a hospital in New York last week.

According to Shannon Luibrand of CBS News, the ceremony happened at the Melodies Center at Albany Medical Center in New York, where childhood cancer patient Abby "married" 29-year-old nurse Matt Hickling. Her Facebook page disclosed that she had Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

"Our patient shyly asked me to marry her," Hickling wrote on Facebook. "I didn't hesitate to say yes, I got a HUGE hug and we sealed the deal with ring pops being placed on our fingers!"

One of the hospital nurses, Lori Ciafardoni, posted a short video on Facebook of the "wedding" that took place in hospital. She also thanked the people who donated their time and money in this effort.

"Today I got to help make a 4-year-old leukemia patient's 'wedding' to her favorite nurse Matt Hickling happen at the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancers at AMC," Ciafardoni wrote. "Thanks to Scott Wright and the team at the Enchanted Garden for donating your time and amazing flowers and to everyone at AMC that helped pull this together in less than 24 hours. You people are amazing. This is why we go into nursing."

According to CBS News, Abby's mother indicated that her daughter thought it was "the best day ever!" She also wrote that she felt "blessed to have all these people in our lives."

"This day will hopefully be one our patient and her family can always look back on and smile when days are tough!" Hickling wrote on Facebook. "I know I will!"

On the Facebook page dedicated to her daughter's cancer treatment, Abby's mother thought that the hospital had "the most amazing, caring and thoughtful people working for them." She elaborated on the backstory that helped set up Abby's unforgettable day.

"All week, Abby had been telling me that she was getting married this week," Abby's mother wrote on July 16. "I asked her to [whom], and of course she said Matt. They have always had a great connection since the beginning of her [diagnosis]. I asked her when, [and] she said at clinic."

Abby's mother added that she sent a text message to Hickling "to give him a heads up on her cuteness."

"I know the people at the Melodies Center and know their creativity and thoughtfulness, but never expected all of this," Abby's mother wrote. "We are both in awe from today's visit and smiling ear to ear. Thank you to everyone involved in making this day awesome."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.