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Photo: Ambulance crew helps man fulfill dying wish

The man’s last wish was to see his daughter in her high school color guard performance one last time

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Nikki Pittenger-Bankes with her husband at their daughter’s color guard performance.

Kellie Hayden Hoffman‎/Facebook photo

By EMS1 Staff

MORTON, Ill. — An ambulance crew made a man’s dying wish come true — to see his daughter perform in the color guard just one more time.

Nikki Pittenger-Bankes, who posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, said her husband, Mike, has been ill and came home Saturday after a two month stay in the hospital. Their daughter, Mikayla, is in the Morton High School Color Guard and wished her dad could see her perform one more time.

“As his health is declining, the only way to get him there safely was by ambulance,” Pittenger-Bankes said.

The band director honored Mikayla and her dad as he entered the stadium on a stretcher.

“Mikayla was then escorted to the stands by her guard instructor, and her three best friends, to see her dad,” Pittenger-Bankes said. “He had balloons and flowers for her and we shared the best family hug and moment ever. This made my daughter the happiest I have ever seen her.”

Pittenger-Bankes thanked the hospice team and AMT ambulance services.

“Words can’t express how thankful I am to all who helped make this night so special for my family,” she said.