2 Bay Area hospitals host special proms for young patients

Two hospitals on both sides of the Bay held a special prom for their teen patients on Friday night. Benioff UCSF Children's Hospital Oakland and San Francisco hosted the annual event.Dozens of patients attended the prom held in Oakland . They ranged in age from 15 to 20. 20-year-old Janiah Smith said this was a dream come true. She wasn't able to go to her high school senior prom. Smith said it was hard seeing her peers attend prom and that she waited for this opportunity.

"It means a lot to me right now. It's made me feel better, and I've been feeling bad all week," said Larsen. The princess project donated dresses and the patients get to keep them. 16 -year-old Kendra Jackson said her illness has caused her to miss going to school and that it's difficult to make friends,"Have fun and I guess live like a normal person." The prom, and all that comes with it, is free to inpatients and outpatients.

"Even when you have an illness, you can do things that make you feel good. Being able to do things that are fun helps your health and well-being tremendously," said Rechelle Porter, Director of Child Life Program with Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland. Janiah Smith has words of encouragement for other patients,"Just stay strong. Just know that you got it, and it's going to be tough, but you'll get through it.

The patients said this is a night they'll cherish for a long time. Organizers said this prom was made possible with the help of donations and the work of volunteers. Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU.

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