St. Clair Shores high school brings graduation ceremony to dying dad's bedside

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A school in metro Detroit went above and beyond to give a dying father the chance to see a big moment in his daughter's life.  

Alexanderia Trombley was set to graduate from Lakeview High school when her dad realized he wouldn't be able to leave the hospital and watch her walk across the stage. He's only 42 years old and has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. It aggressively spread to his brain, heart and stomach. Now he has just days to live.

Having never graduated himself, he was willing to do whatever he could to see his daughter get her diploma. Lucky for him, so was everyone else.

Friends, family -- and even the school's superintendent -- brought the graduation ceremony to his bedside at St. John Hospital.

"Schools all came together, the hospital came together and it all just kind of happened and was just meant to be. It was beautiful," Eric says.

"There were a lot of people that were really close to me, a lot of close family here, and I know that everybody who was here was really appreciating what was going on," Alixandria says.

"We got the head superintendent. It was really moving," Eric says.

“We are proud of all of our graduates but when one of our “Husky’s” faces a difficult time, as Alixandria Trombley is facing, the Lakeview family comes together.  We were honored to be part of her celebration of accomplishments and achievements with her dad at her side.  Our thoughts go out to her and her family during this difficult time,” Superintendent Karl Paulson said in a statement.

A loved one recorded video, showing the special moment Alixandria walked down the "aisle", and when she received her diploma and flipped her tassel. You can watch scenes from the ceremony in FOX 2's Dave Spencer's report in the video player above.

"I close my eyes and think about that instead of this terrible disease that is killing me," her dad, Eric, tells FOX 2.

The family says this has been the hardest year of their lives. They're sharing their story not only to give others hope, but to show the light others can shine even in the darkest times.

"All this brain power, she's going to use it and go off to college. It's a beautiful feeling knowing that I'm checking out; I won't get to be here for it but I know it's going to happen," Eric says.

"It forced me to grow up. I am growing up and some of the skills I'm learning here I think will really prepare me in the future," Alixandria says.

"When everything is good and golden and green, just stop for a minute and appreciate it," Eric says.

His family has created a GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses. You can make a donation online here.

The GoFundMe states that Alixandria is continuing her education out of state at the University of Louisville.