Tania Sharma and Malika Jones are picking out prom dresses. But this prom will be at the hospital. Both girls are patients at the Komansky Center for Children's Health at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.
"I was really excited because this is like one of my first formal dances and I'm gonna get to like pick out a dress and get a manicure and everything," said Tania.
Tania was diagnosed with lymphoma in February and Malika is battling Leukemia
"I was here for a month and 2 weeks and then I got to go home for a week and now I'm back for a week for chemotherapy," said Malika.
But this weekend at the annual Masquerade Ball, they'll get to dance and party with other patients, family and friends.
"Such an important event a milestone in a teenagers life so we're bringing the prom to our kids to our patients," said Dr. Laura Forese, COO of New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell.
The makeup , the jewelry, the dresses and tuxedos are all donated.
Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann will add the final touches.
"Being cooped up in the hospital for a long time for a teenager is really hard and then to feel glamorous for a night is wonderful," said Jeanine Jones, Malika's mother.
Despite dealing with daunting medical challenges, both teens somehow stay focused on the silver lining.
"This is a new experience not everyone gets to do this and I'm lucky to be a part of it," adds Malika.
Their prom night is Saturday night. Sometimes the kids aren't feeling well, they can't always make it- but it's always something to look forward to--which is way better than any medicine.
