Patients find connection, community at first Seattle Children's prom

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https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/seattle/article315874807.html

Patients find connection, community at first Seattle Children's prom

Elise Takahama, The Seattle Times The Tribune Content Agency Updated May 24, 2026 6:51 AM

For once, they were looking forward to being at the hospital. Many of the young patients had grown used to years of being in and out of Seattle Children's, facing rare diseases, developmental disorders, cancer diagnoses and other medical conditions. But on this warm May night, they arrived in high spirits. They were celebrating prom.

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Adding to her enthusiasm was the discovery of her dress, a shiny scarlet gown donated to the hospital for the dance, along with more than 100 other dresses and suits from out-of-state vendors and local organizations, like Issaquah-based Ruby Room.

"My favorite color is red, so when I saw it, I was like, ‘That's my dress,' " Monica beamed. She and her sister, who live in Marysville, stayed glued to the dance floor last Saturday, twirling around with each other to 2010s pop songs. The event was made possible largely thanks to the support of donors and volunteers, Reichert said, noting a limited budget. With donations of corsages and boutonnieres, forest-themed decorations, a photo booth, a light-up dance floor, a DJ set, and a mini horse (Bass, a therapy horse, dressed in his finest bejeweled outfit for the occasion), along with food and dessert, Reichert was heartened.

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