Ringing in the Future: A Surprise Proposal on a Special Day

April 30 was a day that couple Brenda and Clare will cherish forever, for more reasons than one.

Six months after receiving her cancer diagnosis, undergoing surgery, and completing 16 rounds of radiation, a day that seemingly could not get any better for Brenda took an unexpected and heartwarming turn.

As Brenda hit the gong in the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre (DRCC) to mark the end of her radiation treatments, her partner Clare had a special surprise up her sleeve.

Amid the joy and relief of hitting the gong, filled with emotion and tears in their eyes, Clare proposed to Brenda, surrounded by their closest friends.

“I knew the day we got the diagnosis that I was going to do this,” recalled Clare. “I knew we would get through this, and I would propose to Brenda when she rang that bell.”

And that’s exactly what happened! Overwhelmed with emotion, Brenda shared that “it was pure shock” as Clare asked her to marry her.
“I never expected that to happen, but of course I said yes,” Brenda said.

Members of Brenda’s care team at the DRCC were amongst the group there to witness the special moment.

"In my 30 years as a Radiation Therapist and having witnessed patients hitting the gong at the DRCC for 17 years, this was the first proposal and most memorable event I've seen," shared Sheryl Gaskin, Radiation Therapist. "I am so very happy for them both and feel blessed that they chose to share this special event with us."

The day not only marked the end of Brenda’s treatment, but also the beginning of a new chapter of love and hope.