KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s sometimes viewed as a rite of passage — dressing up and dancing the night away at a high school prom.
But many teenagers at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City are not able to do so. They are too sick.
So many smiles tonight. This is truly special... we’ll take you inside @ChildrensMercy #prom2018 tonight at 10! @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/xPAVM5t5g5
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) April 13, 2018
On Friday, the hospital hosted its first prom for these patients.
"I'm going to remember just kind of the whole night. Being able to not think about what's going on and why I am here," said Alyssa Williamson, a current patient.
Dresses and tuxedos were donated to the patients, as well as hair and makeup services.
While some patients were accompanied by dates, others went to the prom with Sporting Kansas City players.
"It's my first time [at prom]," said 11-year-old Anisa Ochoa, who left the hospital two months ago. "I wanted to come because I wanted to see my nurses."
Not only were these teens given dresses and tuxedos to wear... some of them had great looking dates too 😉 @SportingKC is here for @ChildrensMercy first prom! @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/oDeC4q9ex4
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) April 13, 2018
Carson is 16-years-old. He tells me as soon as his doctor told him about @ChildrensMercy prom he knew EXACTLY who he wanted to ask! @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/L7fj3pyORH
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) April 13, 2018
"A lot of times our teen patients when they're in the hospital, they lose that self-confidence. It was great to see them so excited about something that is such an important part of their life," said Trista Williams, the Child Life Volunteer Program coordinator at the hospital.
Williams thought of the idea for a prom. She hopes to turn it into an annual event.
