In a heart-melting moment of pure joy, over 50 teens battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses stepped out in style for the 2025 St. Jude Teen Formal, and let’s just say, it was a prom night for the storybooks.
Hosted in Memphis, Tennessee, the celebration was filled with all the classic prom staples: limos, DJ beats, sparkling dresses, and yes, plenty of boutonnière fumbles. But what made this prom extra special was its purpose: giving young patients a reason to dance and simply be teenagers for the night.
The theme was called the “Garden of Dreams” and these teens bloomed beautifully, matching it perfectly.
“A catastrophic disease shouldn’t keep kids from having the same experiences as other kids their age,” said Dr. James Downing, president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We want to give patients a sense of normalcy and help them create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s about making every day the best day it can be.”
The evening kicked off with teens choosing glam dresses and tuxes before glamming up at the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion. Then came the limo rides downtown, where they were greeted like celebrities at the Domino’s Event Center, welcomed by friends, families, and cheering St. Jude staff. Red carpet? Check. Applause? You bet!
Yike, a St. Jude patient who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 17, described it best: “The cheers from all the parents and staff gave me enormous confidence and made me feel at home!”
Looking radiant in a dress decorated with pink blossoms, Yike added, “I especially love the pink flowers sewed on the dress, because they expressed the vibrant energy of spring.”
The night was full of dancing, dining, and yes, some full-circle moments. “One of my favorite parts of the night was dancing with the nurses who took care of me when I was on the bone marrow transplant floor for transplant,” said Yike. “I just felt extremely happy to meet them again and enjoy time with them.”
But the celebration didn’t stop at the last dance. The next day, St. Jude honored 45 graduating seniors through its School Program’s high school commencement, making sure every cap toss was met with pride and love.
“The 2025 St. Jude Teen Formal is a reminder of enjoying life and living it to the fullest no matter when to me,” said Yike. “The prom was an unforgettable experience for me.”
And that’s the magic of this night, where illness takes a backseat and joy takes the wheel.
