"I Am Praying for You.‪"‬

When Charles was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia, a form of blood cancer that has no cure, he was a non-believer. Throughout his treatment he was exposed to many whom would espouse the power of prayer and Christian principles as a way to guide him through his battle with cancer. How would this freethinker handle this onslaught?
Would his belief in science stay intact or would he have a deathbed conversion.
Are there any atheists in cancer centers?