Dying man blesses family with a heartbreaking ceremony before death

'Our children were all smiling and we were able to put the cancer into a little box'

Ken McHugh is a devoted husband and father of four. He would do anything for his wife and children, including putting on a brave face despite a grim diagnosis. 

With an uncertain amount of time left for McHugh, the McHugh family held a bittersweet ceremony with the help of a local charity.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - 47-year-old McHugh was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010 and was told he had a maximum of 2 years left. Though McHugh beat the odds and has survived for 5 years since his diagnosis, his heath continued to degenerate and he was recently told to stop chemotherapy so he could live out his remaining days with a better quality of life. 

McHugh expressed his desire to walk his children down the aisle for their future weddings and was hurt he would never have the chance, until a local cancer  charity, Team CMMD, stepped in.
A heartbreaking "wedding" day was staged to fulfill Ken's desire to walk his 3 daughters and son to the altar. The event was filmed so each child could relive the moment on their future big day.

The ceremonies were complete with makeup artists, professional hairstylists, videographers and a limousine ride to the chapel.

The joyous occasion began with Ken renewing his wedding vows with Tammy, his wife of 20 years. Tammy was escorted to the alter by their 17-year-old son Dylan.

Following his vow renewal, McHugh escorted 14-year-old Kathryn, 15-year-old Julia and 19-year-old Samantha down the aisle before presenting each with an embroidered handkerchief.  

He also read a summary of a letter he wrote for each child, which will be given to them following his passing. 

A videographer also recorded a message to his family and personal messages to each child in secret.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, McHugh admitted he struggled with the letters he wrote his family members. "I've been trying for two years to start them but every time I put pen to paper or my finger on the keyboard, I just burst into tears."

During the ceremony, he told each child about the circumstances of their births and how each reflected their personalities.

"My eldest Samantha was three weeks premature. She had jaundice and was a bit battered when she came into the world. She has always been three steps ahead of herself, doing things her own way."

"My son Dylan was 5.5kg when he was born. A big boy when he was born and I'll always be proud of him."

"My third child Julia twice had the cord tangled around her throat and she came out blue. Nurses thought she might not make it but she did. She's fearless and she always pulls through."

"And then my youngest Kathryn. We came into the hospital at 12 midnight and she was born by 12.21am. She hardly cried, not a peep. She's always in control and always organized."

Tammy shared that the ceremony ended with laughter, giggles and more stories about the children's births, before ending in a family prayer.

She also heartbreakingly admitted Ken's desire to provide for their children's' dreams of going to college. McHugh set up a GoFundMe page in the hope that kind-hearted people could donate to help cover the lofty expense of sending four children to college.

"He just feels he needs to provide for his kids. Dylan is thinking of doing marine biology but he's also considering becoming a pediatrician. He came up to his dad and said he might reconsider what he wants to do because he doesn't want to take money away from his sisters. That was heartbreaking. That pushed Ken over the edge a little as he's seen it as his job to provide," said Tammy. 

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