TROY, Mich. – It was a celebration of life Friday night for a 44-year-old hospice patient at Beaumont Hospital.
Donnie Reese beat cancer several years ago, but the treatment damaged some of his organs. It led to kidney failure.
"He's been on dialysis for the last seven years three times a week and the constricting of the veins have caused the amputations and the sores and the healing has stopped," said his sister, Terry Colussi.
Reese decided not to continue dialysis and is currently in hospice care. He has always loved fireworks and on his death bed he asked to see one last show before he died.
His friends, family and Beaumont Hospital in Troy were determined to make that happen. So Friday night, they all gathered to give him a final send-off in the way he wanted it.
"When I heard what he really wanted to do I just had to be back here tonight to share this special moment with him and be out here with him," said Nancy Susick, president of Beaumont Hospital, Troy.
It was a tremendous send-off in the way he wanted it and clearly one he was thankful for.
"Thank you all for coming friends. I love you all," said Donald Reese.
"Donnie's put on a display for three or four years or more where he's bought a lot of fireworks. It's a little surreal. It's heavy, It weighs heavy on the heart," said friend Bob Dolland.
"I hope he enjoyed the send-off. I miss him dearly," said Dolland.
Local 4 is very sad to report that once Reese got back to his hospital room, he did pass away. He was surrounded by people who love him and his final wish was fulfilled.