Jamie’s Hearts – Children’s Oncology Prom, A Heart Story

Please read this very special story from our own Jamie in her new series, “Jamie’s Hearts.”

Children’s Hospital of Orange County – Oncology Prom

Everyone remembers their high school prom. It’s a “rite of passage” that every teenager should get to experience. It’s an opportunity to dance and celebrate with friends, it’s a reminder that high school is coming to an end and soon they will be entering a new chapter of their lives – adulthood. However, cancer can get in the way of this celebration that most teenagers take for granted. So many cancer patients end up having to miss their high school prom. Well, the amazing team at Children’s Hospital of Orange County makes sure that does not happen. They go above and beyond to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience a prom.

Saturday, June 27^th was the 14th annual Oncology Prom put on by the hospital, allowing teens battling cancer to fulfill their dreams of attending prom. About  80 cancer patients ages 14-19 got to spend the evening dancing, eating, playing poker, taking photos in photo booths, and so much more with their friends until the prom wrapped up at 11 p.m. Each patient – some currently in-patient, some out-patient, others in remission – was allowed to bring up to three friends.

The day started off with the “Primp Event” at the hospital. Volunteer hair and make-up stylists as well as manicurists set up shop at Children’s Hospital of Orange County in their teen lounge. The female patients had appointments to come with friends and family and get beautified for the upcoming evening’s prom. This was a special event not only for the patients but the parents as well. For some, this will be their only opportunity to have this experience. To top off the special day, actress Kristen Bell (“Frozen” / “Veronica Mars”) as well as TV Personality & Fashion Designer Whitney Port (MTV’s “The Hills” and “The City”) came by to spend quality time with the patients while they were getting primped. Kristen Bell spent time with almost every teenager, taking photos with them and visiting with them one on one. Whitney Port even put herself to work right away spending a few hours painting so many of the patients nails while chatting and really getting to know them.

Kristen Bell and Children’s Hospital of Orange County patient Christine

Whitney Port getting ready to paint a patient’s nails

Whitney Port painting a patient’s nails.

After the “Primp Event”, all of the patients headed over to the Wade Center, a huge conference room at the hospital that was completely transformed into a spectacular prom ballroom. The hospital team and volunteers did an incredible job decorating the room – you would never in a million years believe it was ordinarily a conference room.

Shot of the crowd at the prom (from a distance)

This extraordinary night was pulled off entirely by the kindness of others, coming together to do something good! Whenever I think of the legacy I myself would like to leave behind, the lyrics in the “Wicked” (Broadway musical) song “For Good” comes to mind with it’s lyrics: “Because I knew you….I do believe I have been changed for the better.. because I knew you, I have been changed for good!” That’s the magic of kindness!! Kindness is so easy but it has the power to transform lives and make a world of difference! This incredible event is a perfect example of the magic that happens when people come together and put their kindness into action! I think we should all ask ourselves how can we make a difference, make life a little sunnier a little better by contributing a simple gesture or act of kindness. It was truly such a gift to get to witness firsthand the magic that happens when the kindness of others comes together this way and what an unstoppable force it is! Some of the Oncology Doctors even came out to support at the prom.  A few Child Life Specialists overheard a patient introducing his doctor to his friends as “this is the man who saved my life!” while hugging him graciously. Another amazing moment I will never forget that brought tears to my eyes is when I overheard a patient look in the mirror after getting her hair and make-up done say “I feel so pretty!”

As a surprise to the teens, we also played a montage of celebrity and musicians who recorded video “well-wishes” and words of encouragement. We were able to get videos from Zac Efron, Lady Antebellum, Miles Teller, Jason Mraz, Raining Jane, Switchfoot, Jonathon Jackson, Evan Peters, Allison Janney, John Taylor from Duran Duran, Caleb Johnson, Carly Rae Jepson, Italia Ricci, Katie LeClerc, James Durbin, Jesse McCartney, Julianne Hough, Martin Garrix, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Sara Bareilles, and more! Again just further proof of how simple acts of kindness can mean the world to others and make such a difference.   I am forever grateful to all of the talent and talent representatives who made this happen and their willingness, enthusiasm to support!   Here’s a few of them so you can take a look at how special they were.

 Lady Antebellum video message

Zac Efron video message

Kristen Bell with Children’s Hospital of Orange County Child Life team

Whitney Port with Children’s Hospital of Orange County Child Life Team

Children’s Hospital of Orange County is truly a special place. They care so much about their patients and their annual Oncology Prom is just one of many examples of how they go above and beyond the call of duty for all of their patients. Getting to see all of the teens (who have been through SO much) so happy and having so much brought tears to our eyes. It was truly a remarkable special night where they could forget about their illnesses and just focus on being a teenager and having FUN!

Here are links to some of the fabulous news coverage on KCAL/CBS and ABC respectively, followed by a lovely article in the Orange County Register newspaper.

*This article is dedicated to Sarah Butler, all of the CHOC Child Life Angels ~ Amber Chavez, Kara Noskoff, Stephanie DeMello, Karlie Allen, Bryan Mundia, Ashley Blalock, Peggy Mok, Lauren Meyer, Melanie Mackey, Christy Campo, Katie Mundia, and last but not least to all of the amazing patients.

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