“Having him walking me down the aisle was the most important thing in my life,” said bride Courtney Coccaro

NEED TO KNOW

• A bride moved her wedding to the rooftop of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio after her father was hospitalized with health issues
• Courtney Coccaro said having her father, John, walk her down the aisle was “the most important thing” to her
• Members of Cleveland Clinic’s Intensive Care team helped decorate the rooftop, arrange the ceremony and assist Courtney’s dad so he could be present for the moment

A bride whose father has advanced cancer said “I do” on the rooftop of his hospital so that he could attend the ceremony.

Courtney Coccaro of Stow, Ohio, said she has always been especially close with her dad, John, 55.

“He was my soccer coach. He was always by my side. He taught me to hunt. He taught me to fish. He taught me to be strong. He was always there for me,” Courtney said, per a release from Cleveland Clinic obtained by PEOPLE.

“So, having him walking me down the aisle was the most important thing in my life,” she added.

Courtney had originally planned to marry her fiancé, Michael, on June 30. But a few weeks before the wedding, one of John's doctors at Cleveland Clinic warned the family that he might not make it to that date due to a blood clot in his lungs, metastasized melanoma and several other health issues.

In hopes of ensuring her dad could still attend the wedding, Courtney and Michael rescheduled the ceremony for May 10 in their hometown in Pennsylvania.

But before the new wedding date arrived, John was hospitalized again at Cleveland Clinic.

That's when Courtney and Michael decided to hold the ceremony on the rooftop of the medical center.

“I wanted to make sure he was able to have the chance to be there,” Courtney said.

According to Courtney, members of Cleveland Clinic's Intensive Care team and staff from other departments stepped in to help organize the ceremony on short notice.

She added that staff members helped clean the rooftop area, decorate the space, arrange chairs, direct guests and even locate a private area where Courtney could change into her wedding gown.

They also helped bring John upstairs in a wheelchair and remained nearby to assist throughout the ceremony.

“It was so special and so sweet, and we really appreciate everyone's help,” Courtney said. “I wouldn't change it for the world.”

Courtney said the family remains hopeful about her father's condition.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“He continues to fight every day,” she said. “We are all keeping a positive mindset and staying strong as a family.”

For now, John remains at Cleveland Clinic as he continues treatment.

Source link