FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) — Hundreds of South Florida teens enjoyed a magical prom night.
The guests of honor arrived in style at the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. They exited limousines and dressed to impress as they strolled down the red carpet.
The red carpet entrance even featured appearances from former Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers players, as well as Fort Lauderdale Police officers. "We come here every year," said one attendee.
Zakiya Brown said the night will be one for the books. "It’s amazing," Brown said. "We get to have so much fun together and have memories."
Brown also celebrated a major milestone. "I am a cancer survivor. I had leukemia when I was younger. I’m in 10 year remission," she said.
More than 200 teens joined in the superhero-themed night, and many got support from incredible friends.
"The good news is the tumor is gone from my leg," said Jonathan Faure. "Bad news is it created nodules on my lungs."
Faure attended the night with a friend he has know since he was in preschool. "For everything he’s been through I’m so proud of him and I’m so happy that he wanted to share this special night with me," said Alana Rudnitsky.
The night served as a chance for teens to put their worries aside and have a good time. "It’s amazing to see the smiles on the kids faces, and it’s just an awesome experience and an awesome event," said former Miami Dolphin Nate Garner.
The event has grown in the last seven years, however, founder Brandon Opre pride in the success of the event is tempered by the reality of the lives the kids live on a typical day. "It’s kind of a double edged sword," Opre said. "You want kids to come and have a good time but on the other hand, we don’t want kids to be sick with cancer, so if they are sick we’ll give them a night to remember."
First time attendee Danielle Gabel is thankful to be able to go to prom. "I feel like I kind of missed out on some stuff, being diagnosed with cancer and stuff," Danielle Gabel said. "But now I get to go to prom. It’s really cool."
The night’s formal wear, salon services and transportation was free of charge, provided by generous donors.