A WOMAN diagnosed with incurable cancer should fulfill her dream by getting married in a wedding that for the couple means “the absolute world”.
When Alexandra Briggs, 25, and Callie Morris, 29, tie the knot in Carlisle tomorrow afternoon, they’ll show the world that courage and love can overcome the greatest challenges.
In February, the doctors brought devastating news to Callie: that she has stage 4 colon cancer – the same disease that killed her father three years ago. Treatment will help, but there is no cure.
The Springfield Road couple, Harraby, were determined to keep working on their dream of getting married and then becoming parents.
Tomorrow afternoon they will accomplish the first part of their life plan by getting married in style at the Carlisle Registration Office with the help of the Geoff Brown Charitable Trust and other caring local business people.
Alexandra said: “She coped with it amazingly well. When Callie was diagnosed, our lives were initially in the balance. Now we try to focus on living our lives and doing what makes us happy. Ever since we got together, we’ve wanted to get married and have a family.
“When people offered to help us, we thought, ‘Let’s do this.’ For us it means the absolute world. ”
The couple met through their work with Carlisle Mencap.
“We both work full-time as assistants for children and adults with learning difficulties,” says Alexandra. “I look after adults with learning difficulties and Callie works with adults and children and is a team leader there.”
Looking back at the beginnings of her love story, Alexandra said: “To be honest, we just clicked: From the first day we met, we were best friends and it has grown from then on. We’ve been together for a little over three years. Callie is absolutely fantastic. ”
When asked to summarize her fiancé in three words, Alexandra replied without hesitation: “Unique, inspiring and beautiful.” Callie was an “absolute inspiration,” she added.
Since February, the couple has been on an emotional roller coaster ride where Callie has been subjected to repeated scans to find the cancer and chemotherapy to fight it – a treatment that helped shrink the original tumor. Alexandra said, “The cancer in her liver has receded, so we had some positive results that no one expected.
“But no matter how well Callie responds to the treatment, there is only so much chemotherapy and radiation that you can have and still have quality of life. We have to live with that. ”
The couple say their big day will be very special because of the help of many well-wishers and friends, including Geoff Brown.
Tomorrow’s wedding will feature many eye-catching details – including the couple who travel to the ceremony in classy cars, courtesy of Geoff Brown. Callie travels in a lime green 1947 Chevrolet and Alexandra in a red and cream Ford Galaxy Cabriolet from 1959.
It’s just one of the things that make the day unforgettable.
Alexandra continued, “Cars are not my thing – but Callie was in her absolute element when Geoff Brown showed us his cars.
“She was on cloud nine while she was there.”
The couple will be welcomed at the Royal Oak Pub in Moorhouse, west of Carlisle.
“It’s not just about paying for the equipment and the ceremony; that’s all that goes with it, ”said Alexandra.
“As much as we are getting married because of the situation, we still wanted a real wedding.
“Dress changes, flowers, cards … all of these things cost hundreds of pounds each. It would have been much more difficult to celebrate the wedding we wanted without Geoff’s help. ”
In the longer term, the couple remain determined to become parents and continue fertility treatment at a specialist center in Newcastle.
“It’s for both of us,” said Alexandra. Our inspiration in life is to have a family of our own. Callie and I both want to be parents.
“That’s one of the biggest things for us: We want to make sure this happens while Callie is here.”
The couple is now looking forward to an emotional – and happy – day supported by family and friends.
These include Alexandra’s father Stephen Briggs, who will lead her to the altar, and her maid of honor, Hannah McNamara; as well as Callie’s three “bridesmaids” – Neil Gillingham, Mike Ferguson and Joe Hill.
The couple thanked the following people for helping make their wedding day special: The Geoff Brown Trust; Laurel Florists, Carlisle; Wedding decorations for special occasions; Ready to Burn – Wood Art, Carlisle; Bits and Coils, Carlisle; The Royal Oak, Moorhouse; and Infinity Photography Events, Carlisle.
