EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Music and dancing filled El Paso Children’s Hospital on Tuesday as families gathered for a gold-themed party aimed at shining a light on childhood cancer.
The hospital held its annual dance party for current and past patients to recognize their cancer treatment journey as the event kicks off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September.
Hospital staff and supporters recognized the month by dancing to “The Twist” for three minutes on the floor of the Southwest University Blood and Cancer Center unit. The hospital said the three-minute dance is meant to reflect a statistic from the American Childhood Cancer Organization that a new child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes.
Hospital officials said the event brings together families and patients while encouraging the community to get more involved.
Hailee Ozaeta, a two-time cancer survivor, said, “I’m a two-time cancer survivor and all my life I’ve been fighting cancer, and it’s not an easy battle.”
Her mother, Sandra Ozaeta, said the goal is to raise awareness and support for young patients. “This is why we try to do events and bring awareness so people could-” she said, adding, “donate and know that there’s kids here at our hospital that need their help.”
The annual September event is held in partnership with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department and families of former El Paso Children’s Hospital patients. Organizers said the gathering is intended to bring positive energy and lift spirits for patient families and hospital staff.
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