Firefighter With Terminal Cancer Gets Married In Crystal Lake Home

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A firefighter from Crystal Lake, who is saying his final goodbyes to friends and family after battling a rare form of cancer, was married early Thursday in his home.

Christina Patel, 31, and Frank Nunez, 34, exchanged vows at about 12:30 a.m. in front of a few friends and family, according to Shaw Media. Nunez's best friend was officiated prior to the marriage so he could lead the ceremony.

Earlier in the week, Nunez, a four-year veteran of the Itasca Fire Department, received a ride in the ambulance he drove while a firefighter from Northwestern Medicine Hospital in Chicago to his home in Crystal Lake where he is receiving end-of-life care, according to Northwestern Medicine officials. Since he was admitted earlier this month to the hospital, he hasn't been alone for a minute.

His colleagues took shifts around the clock to keep him company by his hospital bed after Nunez learned the cancer he'd successfully battled three years earlier had returned.

"The fact that they were always here, 24/7, making sure Frank was never alone speaks volumes to who Frank is as a person," said Khalilah Gates, his pulmonary and critical care specialist, describing Nunez as a phenomenal person who "you just know would walk in a room," light it up and "make everyone feel safe."

They also made sure that Nunez, Patel and Nunez's beloved dog, Max, were able to be transported via the ambulance he drove while on duty back home to Crystal Lake after Nunez was discharged from the hospital Tuesday.

Back at his home, Nunez will spend his final days with family, his closest friends, fellow firefighters and his fiancé, Christina. The couple got engaged in June and exchanged rings during a commitment ceremony in the hospital on Nunez's 34th birthday last week.

After being discharged Tuesday, firefighters with the Chicago Fire Department stood by to salute Nunez as he was lifted into the back of the ambulance he drove with the Itasca Fire Department.

Inside the ambulance, Christina boosted Max onto his legs, so the dog could be close to Nunez on his ride home.

"There’s nothing sadder than obviously losing somebody, especially somebody young, so vibrant as Frank. So to have us have the honor of bringing him home in this—and that’s what it is for us and the people volunteering—it’s an absolute honor to take him on this ride. But it certainly is heart-wrenching," Jack Schneidwind, fire chief with the Itasca Fire Department, said on Tuesday.

In 2019, Nunez was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. He received chemotherapy, radiation and underwent surgery, and the cancer went into remission, according to Northwest Medicine officials. But in 2021, the cancer returned in his left lung.

Nunez participated in several clinical trials this past year, and during his treatment, continued to work all of his shifts with the Itasca Fire Protection District.

"When you talk about somebody who is dedicated and loves life, you’re talking about Frank. He has not missed a day and could have missed many, many days. But he came into work every single day," Schneidwind said.

He became a firefighter in 2014 and joined the Itasca Fire Department in 2018. He was beloved by his colleagues and boss, who described him as "an incredible human," and admired him for his strong work ethic, amazing personality and intelligence.

"He came in with a great attitude wanting to make a difference to the people that we served. And when you talk about somebody who looked forward to living each day, that was Frank," Schneidwind said.

Frank met Christina two months before he was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and the couple share their dog, Max, together. While Nunez was in the hospital, Max still waited by the door each day for him to get home, according to a news release from Northwestern Medicine.

A GoFundMe set up to raise funds to help pay for expenses incurred by Nunez's family has brought in more than $45,000. Nunez's mother is also battling cancer.

The GoFundMe has a $50,000 goal.

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