Duke Children’s Hospital hosted its third annual Duke Children’s Prom on April 6, 2019.

Wearing a sparkling tiara and a flowing silver and white dress, a young patient at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center got to be a princess for a night thanks to help from Duke staff.

Tatiana Young, 15, has been a patient at Duke for two years, receiving treatment for sickle cell anemia, a bone marrow transplant and other illnesses. But the disease wouldn't stop her from enjoying the annual Duke Children's Prom.

Several Duke Children's staff who know Tatiana came together to make the night memorable for her.

They obtained a long white dress adorned with lace and rhinestones from a local non-profit group that offers new and gently-used dresses for teens in need. Staff members also styled Tatiana's makeup and a wig to give her long, flowing locks for the evening.

The patient's parents, Ruben and Tanya Young, teared up when they saw their daughter emerge from a dressing room in the glamorous getup.

"This is the kind of teamwork that makes dreams possible," said Janie Bryant, a financial care counselor at Duke Children's and the staff member who organized the prom makeover for Tatiana. "It was magical to see her look so pretty, and her parents are so appreciative of how we care for her."

This theme this year was “Once Upon a Prom,” with props of castles and carriages placed around the Duke Children’s lobby.

Patients enjoyed activities such as making flower headbands and having their portraits drawn by a sketch artist.