ORLANDO, Fla. – Glitter, long dresses, and loud music filled the halls at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando over the weekend.
On Friday, staff workers pulled off the hospital's first-ever prom for high school patients.
"This event is so important to kids because it gives them the opportunity to be normal teenagers," said event coordinator Amanda Harris.
Harris and others invited current and recent patients whose illnesses would likely prevent them from going to their own school's dance.
"Just because a kid is not feeling great, just because they might have a long term illness, doesn't mean they don't get to enjoy prom as well," Harris said.
Teens were able to dance the night away with their friends, and most importantly, take a break from thinking about their time in the hospital.
"I'm a senior, and I didn't actually have the chance to go to either of my high school proms, so this is really giving me the chance to have one of those experiences to get dressed up and have a dance with my friends." Nancy said.
Arnold Palmer Hospital plans to make this an annual tradition each spring.