2 Bay Area hospitals host special proms for young patients [Video]

Two hospitals on both sides of the Bay held a special prom for their teen patients on Friday night.  Benioff UCSF Children’s Hospital Oakland and San Francisco hosted the annual event.

Dozens of patients attended the prom held in Oakland.  They ranged in age from 15 to 20. 20-year-old Janiah Smith said this was a dream come true. 

She wasn’t able to go to her high school senior prom. Smith said it was hard seeing her peers attend prom and that she waited for this opportunity.

“I didn’t get to attend because I was in the hospital. I was really upset,” said Smith.  

Prom 2024 was a night to make  milestone memories. Smith suffers from sickle cell anemia. She has been in and out of the hospital during the past year coping with the disease that gives her chronic pain.

“It’s honestly a wonderful feeling. I just love getting dressed, …