Medical center puts on prom for young cancer patients
NEW YORK, NY -- Going to prom is a rite of passage that almost every kid looks forward to, but for some kids, they'll never get the chance to go.
That's why Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City decided to bring the prom to their patients.
More than 100 kids attended the cancer center's 25th annual Spring Prom, walking the red carpet and breaking it down on the dance floor.
7-year-old twins Eve and Danya came to the prom together. Eve is battling leukemia.
Every child at the prom is suffering from some kind of life threatening illness. Some are visiting the hospital for treatment and some are there for the long haul.
Farid Dboulad, M.D., the medical director of the Pediatric Day Hospital said, "They're going through chemotherapy biological therapy some of them have nausea vomiting they lose their hair some of them have limb amputation. But everything is forgotten today because its a celebration. We celebrate the beauty of their childhood basically."
One of the children who attended is Gabrielle Marsalisa who just turned 16.
Her friends have been planning for the big day while Gabriella has spent the last 6 months undergoing chemo.
"Volunteers from child life came in one day with a bunch of dresses and said here try this on! I'm like okay!" Gabriella said.
But despite their struggles, the prom was a chance for the children to get dressed in their best, have fun, and smile.
Ming Lee, a cancer survivor said, "Anytime someone can feel like they're out in the real world. They're having this amazing experience that you're supposed to have growing up but you're unable to because you're sick or you're in chemo. It's just such a beautiful opportunity."