DENVER | Children’s Hospital Colorado held its eighth annual prom for patients June 13, treating teens who may have missed their own high school proms to their own annual rite of passage.
“A lot of our patients aren’t able to have a typical teen experience,” said Hadley Trull, a certified child life specialist who helped plan the event. “They can’t go to school on a consistent basis or they can’t have friends around them. This is really to provide them with an opportunity to have that experience and to meet other teens going through what they are going through, that really get it.”
In past years, the prom was held specifically for teen patients with cancer or blood disorder diagnoses. Beginning last year, though, Trull expanded the guest list to include all of the hospital’s 14- to 19-year-old patients who have been diagnosed with life-threatening or life-limiting medical conditions. Roughly 90 patients attended the dance, which Trull said is nearly twice as many teens as last year.
Among them was Diana Parra, 18, who was diagnosed at birth with glycogen storage disease, a form of hypoglycemia that requires her to visit the hospital three to four times a year. Between these appointments and the more than 20 surgeries she has undergone, she was missing too much class to easily attend a public school.
For parts of her sophomore and senior years of high school, Parra instead attended the Medical Day Treatment Program, a collaborative effort with Aurora Public Schools to provide educational opportunities at Children’s Hospital. Although Parra attended prom at her public school last year, she said she preferred this year’s event.
“I’ve gone to a normal high school prom, but it’s too much drama,” said Parra, who aspires to be a nurse one day. “I liked this better because each kid has an illness and each of us knows what we’re all going through. Seeing other people happy makes me happy, too.”
Eddie Thomas, 18, also took part in the Children’s Hospital prom. Having attended in 2013 as well, he said the larger crowd made the event even more fun this year.
“There was a lot more participation this year, and people knew what they were doing,” he said. “Last year was my first prom ever, and I was really nervous. But this year I knew what to expect.”
The event was hosted by the Hilton Doubletree Hotel near the Children’s Hospital and featured a big-top circus theme. In addition to the donated venue space, a number of local businesses and individuals contributed everything from a mocktail bartender to disc jockeys.
Prior to the dance, the female patients enjoyed prom preparation in the form of hair styling, makeup and manicures by local stylists, while the male patients readied themselves and enjoyed snacks in the “man cave.”
“My family is mostly girls, so it was nice to hang out with some guys,” said Thomas, who said he enjoyed spending time with his friends. “I don’t get to do that very often,” he added. “I knew a couple of the kids who came last year, and I was glad they came again.”
A red carpet event took place before the dance, during which photographers donated their services to commemorate the occasion. Two hours of dancing, music and appetizers ensued, including a special appearance by the Denver Broncos cheerleaders.
“Thank you for inviting the Denver Broncos cheerleaders,” Thomas said, recounting his favorite part of the night. “They came to hang out with us and danced with us, too. They’re really good dancers.”
Trull said she began planning this year’s prom in January in conjunction with the Youth Advisory Council, a patient advocacy group comprised of 11 teen patients and siblings who have been involved with Children’s Hospital Colorado. The goal of the council, which helped pick the prom theme and design the artwork, is to create a better environment and experience for pediatric patients.
Already looking toward next year’s prom, Trull is optimistic the event will continue to grow.
“Our ultimate goal is to make the teens feel special for one day, if nothing else,” she said. “We are hoping to have more vendors interested in helping, and I’m hoping we can have twice as many patients attend again.”