Canonsburg teen battling terminal cancer marries girlfriend with help of community

CANONSBURG, Pa. — A Canonsburg teen battling terminal cancer is marrying his girlfriend Friday thanks, in part, to donations from the community.

Luke Blanock, who at times couldn’t stand during his cancer treatments, will soon walk down the aisle to marry his fiancée, Natalie Britvich. %

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“You can tell he's over the moon, very much in love,” Luke’s grandmother, Rosemary Nikas, said.

Nikas is helping set up her grandson’s special day, remembering how the Canon McMillian High School basketball star suddenly lost feeling in his legs two years ago.

“You go from being an outstanding athlete to not being able to walk out of the blue, no indication, just blindsided,” Nikas said.

Nikas said Luke persevered, smiling through his chemotherapy, always wearing a brave face.

A month after doctors told him the cancer had spread and was now terminal, Luke proposed to Natalie.

“He said, ‘I'm not marrying Natalie to make her a widow. I'm marrying Natalie to spend 50 years with her.’ And that’s great. That’s how it should be,” Nikas said.

With no time to waste, the community donated almost everything for the Blanock wedding.

“We pulled this whole thing together in a month, which is pretty incredible for a wedding this size,” wedding planner Ashley Cyprowski said.

While everyone tries to be “Luke Strong,” there’s not expected to be a dry eye in the house. Nikas simply said she just loved her Luke “a bunch.”

“I believe in miracles and hope, and we certainly have that,” she said.

Cox Media Group