The Important Lesson A Bride With Cancer Teaches Us About Perseverance
Something that lures me into the wedding and large event industry is the impact the events can have on people’s happiness. As a college student, heck, as a 21-year-old woman, I experience so many emotional ups and downs. Some days are wonderful, and others… not so much.
In my limited time in the industry, I have been lucky enough to work at weddings where couples experienced the utmost joy. On those days, I felt amazing because of their reactions. As much as those couples deserved every second of their happiness, there is a harsh reality about what other couples face.
What Is Wish Upon a Wedding?
There are couples who either want to get married or renew their vows but are hindered by the unfortunate force that is a serious, life-altering and or terminal illness. One nonprofit has made it its mission to help couples facing this exact reality in America.
Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit organization that raises money to help couples experiencing a serious illness be able to afford their dream day. The company grants “wishes” to couples, recognizing the impact medical bills can have.
On their website, it explains the company has been able to create “[175 weddings and vow renewals through the generosity of wedding industry professionals who donate services, corporate sponsors, partnerships, and volunteers].” The nonprofit aims to be sexuality and diversity inclusive for this, I would love to work for them one day.
How Has Wish Upon a Wedding Built Its Brand?
The company has built its reputation by sharing photos and stories of the couples they help through Instagram in a steady stream of posts. Most of the photos they post have a shared article about them on their website. This makes making connections between social media content and formal website content easily identifiable.
They are considered the number one nonprofit in the wedding industry. Much of its success comes from being the first nonprofit to offer services like this and advertising that as such sets them apart.
Introducing My New Hero: Rucha
The company’s website announcement of its 200th event struck a chord with me. I opened the announcement, with a photo of an adorable couple, to reveal the story of Rucha and Jose’s upcoming 10-year wedding anniversary. In 2020, Rucha’s life changed drastically after giving birth to her fourth child. Rucha was told by her doctors that she had stage three breast cancer after noticing some changes in her breasts.
According to Wish Upon a Wedding, “a year later she was pronounce cancer free.” Sadly enough, the cancer had actually moved to her brain which she is now receiving treatment for. What stood out to me and made my heart absolutely throb for this beautiful family, is that the announcement said today Rucha is “doing her best to remain positive and hopeful for her sweet family.”
Rucha’s story is one of many in the ongoing series of Americans who face serious illnesses trying to lead normal lives. The 10th wedding anniversary that is coming up for Rucha and Jose mark something so much larger than a wedding anniversary. It marks the ability of this family to stay strong in love and hope despite the most challenging setbacks imaginable.
In every photo of this family seen in the announcement, their four children and the couple themself beam with beautiful smiles and light in their eyes. It is heartwarming to read how one woman could be faced with two different kinds of cancer, be a mom of four, and still understand the significance of celebrating her marriage.
Wish Upon a Wedding described Rucha as having “[fierce determination and a joyful spirit]”. To carry herself with grace, not give up despite the odds, and celebrate the most important moments in life teach me so much about being a woman. Despite the fact that there will be bad days.
Wish Upon a Wedding Is So Important.
We all have something to learn from a woman like Rucha. Her endurance and determination to live and celebrate encourages me to consider the impact throughout wedding industry. The work Wish Upon a Wedding does allows people like Rucha to experience memories that can carry them through even the toughest battles.
Rucha’s story will remain in the back of my mind for a while as I continue to navigate life’s many ups and downs. Her perseverance is inspiring and I am so glad Wish Upon a Wedding could grant her and others the chance at experiencing love as they wish.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in applying to be a wish recipient, apply here. For those looking for ways to donate or help, check out this link. There is no limit or maximum for donations!
Keep up the good work,
Thalia