Organization gives man with cancer dream wedding

CENTER CITY -- Thanks to an organization called Wish Upon A Wedding, one Philadelphia couple was able to say their vows Sunday with a view of the city - free of charge.

Lonnie and Karen Brown are just beginning their lives as husband and wife.

But the South Philadelphia couple has already gone through a lot together.

"As soon as that doctor said it, it was like - bam - like I got hit by a truck," said Lonnie Brown, groom. "My ears were just ringing. I couldn't hear nothing else."

Lonnie Brown is battling colon cancer. Over the past several years, he's had multiple surgeries, all with Karen by his side.

"She's been my rock the whole time," said Lonnie Brown.

"He is the most patient person I know," Karen Brown, bride. "Sometimes he gets a little frazzled, but that's what I'm here for."

He's now receiving chemotherapy, and had had to stop working.

But thanks to Wish Upon A Wedding, the couple said their vows in front of dozens of family and friends atop of the Center City Tower.

"From the venue to the DJ to the flowers and the wedding planner, everybody is donating their services just to make this a special day for Lonnie and Karen," said Randi Martin, Wish Upon A Wedding.

Lonnie was diagnosed with colon cancer about a year after he and Karen got engaged. The couple says without Wish Upon A Wedding, they never would have been able to have a wedding like this.

"Everything is so expensive now a days. Without them coming through for us it would have been so rough," said Lonnie Brown. "It would have been much smaller, and a lot less going on."

Maybe the most excited guest? Karen's 16-year-old son, Camron.

"I haven't seen my mom so happy in a long time. And today's the day," said Camron Frager-Banks, Karen's son.

No matter what the future has in store, the Browns say they'll handle it together.