Hospital throws teens with cancer a prom to remember
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. -- Prom is a high school experience many never forget, but it is something many young cancer patients do not get to experience, CBS Los Angeles KCAL reports.
But on Saturday evening young cancer patients did get to have that memorable night thanks to the Children's Hospital of Orange County.
This year over a 100 young people ages 14 to 19 attended the 14th prom at the Children's Hospital of Orange County, KCAL reports. Many of the prom attendees have gone through or are currently battling cancer.
One of the patients in attendance was Kayla Mella. At just 7 years old, Mella was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Most of her life has been spent at the hospital.
"To me, in here, I never had a bad time. I had people to talk to. And they have rooms to play around to not think about what's happening," she said. "And the nurses and doctors they weren't like nurses and doctors, they just seemed like friends."
This was Kayla's first prom.
And this year's prom did not disappoint. Mella and the other girls got their hair and makeup done, and there was a station for manicures as well.
Christine Ianev, 16, told KCAL this was her second time going to this prom. But this year was different, because this year she is cancer free.
"Last year I was bald, still going through treatment, surgeries. Just a bunch of stuff that was crazy and here I'm done," she said.
There were also some familiar faces at prom this year. A few celebrities volunteered their services to help make the prom a success, including actress Kristen Bell and reality TV star and fashion designer Whitney Port.
"Prom is such a big part of girls' lives and everyone should have that experience," said Port. "And everyone deserves to feel pampered and taken care of and feel special on that day."
And other celebrities, including Zac Efron, Jason Mraz and Elizabeth Banks, taped special video messages of encouragement.