More than 50 special attendees celebrated prom night on Thursday, May 1, thanks to the St. Jude Teen Formal in Memphis, Tenn.
Teen patients got to take a limo ride, eat dinner, and dance with their guests
This year’s theme was “Garden of Dreams”
A recent prom night in Memphis, Tenn., included many of the usual hallmarks: dinner, limo rides, DJ music and fumbling with boutonnieres — but the guests of honor were a group of patients undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
There were over 50 teens in attendance at the St. Jude Teen Formal on Thursday, May 1, a number that included both the patients themselves and their guests.
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
2025 St. Jude Teen Formal
The theme was “Garden of Dreams” and participating teens got to pick out dresses and tuxedos before getting ready at the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion.
“A catastrophic disease shouldn’t keep kids from having the same experiences as other kids their age,” Dr. James Downing, president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, tells PEOPLE in a statement. “We want to give patients a sense of normalcy and help them create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s about making every day the best day it can be.”
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
2025 St. Jude Teen Formal
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Attendees took a limousine ride downtown, which was followed by family, friends and St. Jude staff greeting them at the Domino’s Event Center. Those involved were treated to dinner, dancing and most importantly, enjoying a key teenage rite of passage.
“One of my favorite parts of the night was dancing with the nurses who took care of me when I was on the bone marrow transplant floor for transplant,” says Yike “Michelle” Huang, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 17.
“I just felt extremely happy to meet them again and enjoy time with them,” the teen adds.
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
2025 St. Jude Teen Formal.
Like most girls on prom night, she enjoyed showing off her gown.
“I especially love the pink flowers sewed on the dress, because they expressed the vibrant energy of spring,” the patient notes.
Another standout moment was just walking the red carpet itself. “The cheers from all the parents and staff gave me enormous confidence and made me feel at home!” she says.
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Yike dressed for prom night at the 2025 St. Jude Teen Formal.
The festivities didn’t end there, however, as the St. Jude School Program’s annual high school commencement further honored 45 high school seniors the next day, rounding out a joyous celebration of the students’ accomplishments, both personally and academically.
“The 2025 St. Jude Teen Formal is a reminder of enjoying life and living it to the fullest no matter when to me,” says Huang, adding at another point that, “the prom was an unforgettable experience for me.”
Read the original article on People
