Long Island Man Battling Cancer Has Wish Fulfilled With Wedding at Hospital Bed

A Long Island man battling cancer had his wish fulfilled when he wed his girlfriend at his hospital bed Wednesday. 

Keith Borum of Lake Ronkonkoma has been battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for the past year, and during his frequent stays at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, he often mentioned to the staff that he wanted to save for an engagement ring to propose to his girlfriend of three years, Nina Scott, a hospital spokeswoman said. 

Touched by his wish, the nurses, aides and others who looked after Borum decided to take up a collection for a wedding.

They purchased wedding rings with the $400 they raised, and the local community donated a bouquet and a cake. Staffers brought in homemade treats for a reception. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Borum and Scott were married in Borum's hospital room. 

"I feel great," said Borum. 

The couple said they're grateful to the hospital and the staffers who made it happen. Scott said Borum has a special bond with his caregivers. 

'"They're loving, they're nurturing. They cater to him," said Scott.

There are nearly 80,000 new cases of lymphoma diagnosed in the U.S. each year --- about 9,000 Hodgkin's, and 71,000 non-Hodgkin's, according to the hospital. About 20,000 people die from lymphoma each year (about 1,100 from Hodgkin's and 19,000 from non-Hodgkin's). 

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