Every parent’s dream is to see their children succeed, and the high school graduation is often seen as the hallmark moment of growing up.
One terminally ill Tennessee mother was worried she wouldn’t get to see her son walk across the stage in his cap and gown. Last weekend, however, she received an incredibly joyful and emotional surprise when the graduation ceremony was brought to her.
Knoxville resident Stephanie Northcott is suffering from late stages of Lynch Syndrome, a genetic condition linked with several types of cancer, CBS News reported. Her daughter died of the same disease in 2010 at just 20 years old.
Northcott’s only son, Dalton, is currently wrapping up his senior year at Halls High School in Knoxville, a considerable distance from where she’s being treated at Baptist Hospital East in Memphis.
When the local community caught wind that Northcott was worried about missing Dalton’s milestone, they worked together to organize a graduation ceremony at the hospital.
Friends, family, the school principal and about 20 of Dalton’s classmates dressed in their caps and gowns gathered at the hospital for the celebration. Hospital staffed wheeled Nortcott’s bed to the middle of the chapel, where the students could stop and hug her.
When Dalton entered the room, the principal’s eyes filled with tears as she presented him with his diploma.
At one point, the graduating seniors even honored the tradition of throwing their caps in the air.
Northcott was so inspired by the event that she sat up in her hospital bed and began singing along with the music playing in the background.
https://www.facebook.com/julie.northcott.3/videos/pcb.10215199602204787/10215199571204012/?type=3&theater
The graduation came just in time, as doctors fear that Northcott only has days to live.
A fund has been set up to cover Northcott’s funeral costs. To contribute, click here.
(H/T: CBS News)