Kids undergoing cancer treatment often miss school and the milestone celebrations that fill the calendar and their adolescent memories. On May 10, hundreds of adolescent cancer patients had the chance to trade in their hospital gowns for prom dresses and tuxedos and attended the fourth annual “A Prom to Remember,” a gala red carpet evening designed in their honor.
All of the festivities were provided free of charge, including hair and makeup, wardrobe and limousine service, food, music and dancing. Thanks to a donation from the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, the kids were able to party in style.
The Kids Cancer Foundation, a local charity that provides hope and support to local children and families battling cancer, assisted in referring patients and coordinating hair and makeup for all Palms West Hospital patients who attended the event.
On the day of prom, the girls from Palms West Hospital came to the Kids Cancer Center to be treated to a day of glamour in preparation for the evening festivities. Professional hairstylists volunteered their time to style the girls’ hair and/or wigs, and LoriAnn Santarpia from Loriana Makeup volunteered her time to make up each girl for the special evening. All the patients and their dates met up at the Kids Cancer Center at 4 p.m. for photos before boarding the party bus at 4:45 p.m. “All the kids were so excited about the prom. It was something they could look forward to and helped take their mind off of their daily battle with cancer,” said Michelle O’Boyle, founder of the Kids Cancer Foundation. “They are already asking about next year’s prom!”
To learn more about A Prom to Remember, visit www.apromtoremember.org or call (877) FTL-PROM. To learn more about the Kids Cancer Foundation, visit www.kidscancersf.org or call (561) 371-1298.
ABOVE: Local kids dressed up for “A Prom to Remember.”
