Fourteen-year-old Katelyn Norman of LaFollette, Tennessee, has terminal bone cancer. One of the items on her bucket list was to go to the prom. Campbell County High School had their prom early and arranged for her to go, but then Katelyn's declining health landed her in East Tennessee Children's Hospital.
In stable condition and in high spirits, Katelyn was able to have a make shift prom in her room.
The hospital staff decorated the room and her date gave her a corsage and a special sash. Family and friends gathered outside with candles.
Meanwhile, in Campbell County, the celebration of Katelyn was taking place.
The music was blaring, the decorations were hung, it was meant to be Katelyn's perfect night, and she wanted it to go on, even if she wasn't there.
"She contacted me and said prom must go on, that's her, and you can't help but feed off that energy, that life," said Sharon Shepard, an instructor at Katelyn's school and organizer of the prom.
The night was a celebration of Katelyn, featuring all her favorite things. But most important, the people she loves most.
Link to story.
Link to pictures. -via reddit
(Image credit: Michael Dayah)
Update: Katelyn passed away the day after this was posted. Link
Katelyn has a very supportive school & wonderful friends. I hope her prom brought her great joy.