Caregivers & Volunteers at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Bring a Night of Magic for Kids Battling Cancer with “Under the Sea” Prom Night
Prom is a memorable and important milestone in a teenager’s life but for some of those battling cancer, attending their own high school dance isn’t possible.
On Saturday night, caregivers and volunteers from Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City brought that special night to teen patients being treated for cancer with the 4th annual Primary Children’s Prom with the theme of “Under the Sea.”
Patients aged 15 and older dressed up in formal attire and danced the night away at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, thanks to dedicated caregivers and volunteers who didn’t want health challenges to disrupt a treasured high-school tradition for the kids.
“Being able to take part in these special milestones is such an important part of a kid’s health journey and brings a sense of normalcy to their lives,” said Cheryl Gerdy, RN, nurse director of cancer and blood disorders at Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital. “To watch our young patients let loose and open up is such a joy for all of us who have a part in their care.”
For the prom, caregivers from Intermountain Health converted conference rooms into a dazzling dance hall, complete with food, a DJ, and professional prom photos.
This year's prom was generously sponsored by GRIT Marketing and Mira Home.
Dresses and suits were available to kids, along with special salon and makeup services so they could feel their best for the big night. Kids who couldn’t’ leave their hospital room were still able to take part with “prom in a box” which included everything from the theme, along with full dress and makeup.
Patients were joined by Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and other teams of caregivers, who did their best to keep up with the energetic crowd.
Every day, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital oncology experts treat 33 kids in inpatient areas and 60 more kids needing cancer-related outpatient visits.
The nationally ranked cancer program at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital includes the latest research and treatment for non-malignant blood disorders like sickle-cell anemia, as well as bone marrow transplants, gene-based therapies, and clinical trials.
###