A gay couple facing a life-threatening illness will have their wedding wish granted this August by an organization committed to making dreams come true.
National non-profit Wish Upon a Wedding [1] (WUW) will host the nuptials of Ed Urbaniak, 45, and Erwin Lobo, 37.
Founded in January 2010, WUH provides ceremonies for couples facing life-threatening sickness. One of the criteria for selection is that one member of the couple be terminally ill with less than three years to live - a prognosis that is confirmed by a doctor.
[caption id="attachment_15858" align="aligncenter" width="352" caption="Photo of Ed and Erwin with their sons Leon and Ilo. "] [2][/caption]
Through the generosity of donors, the organization finances an all-expense-paid ceremony for the selected pair.
“By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, we help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come,” the group said in a statement on its website. “It is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.”
So far, WUW has sponsored four wedding wishes – the next will be its first gay couple Ed and Erwin.
“I think this is a great way to say to the gay community that organizations do stand behind you. People are willing to work with you with open arms regardless of your sexuality,” said Pamela Rivers, organizer for WUW event planning committee. “Look at this national organization, we’re behind you.”
Ed and Erwin have been together for 10 years. In 2009, Erwin was diagnosed with lung cancer and given 6 to 12 months to live. Seeking to make the most of their time together; the couple decided it was time to fulfill their long-desired wedding dream.
“We want to do as much together as possible since our time together is limited,” said Erwin. “This is something that we planned to do years ago, but with home, work and family, it got pushed to the back burner.”
In early 2010, the couple participated in the Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding contest. When they were not selected in the sweepstakes, a friend suggested they apply for WUW.
“We were surprised that our wish was almost immediately granted,” Erwin added. “After months of dealing with that contest, it was nice to have someone so responsive.”
Ed and Erwin’s wedding is set to take place August 14, at the historic Meridian House in Washington DC. They will be wearing white linen.
Still, the pair’s ties to the organization do not stop there. According to Shelby Tuck Horton, President of WUW Washington DC chapter, the group seeks to build a relationship with the couples it unites.
“Because there’s such a bond between the couple, I’ve been in constant communication with them,” she said. “You get to know them. You get to care about them. There is no letting them go after the wedding.”
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