http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/breathing-crisis-threatens-dying-teen-prom-friends-family-save-day-article-1.1300553
Breathing crisis threatens dying Tennessee teen’s prom — but friends and family still make her wish come true
Campbell County rallied behind Katelyn Norman’s dream — friends and family booked a hall in LaFollette for a huge party — but breathing troubles forced her back into the hospital and plans had to be changed at the last minute.
Comments (24)By Michael Walsh / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 3:40 PM
Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 3:40 PM
Courtesy Michael Dayah
Family and friends from Campbell County, Tenn. rally together to give Katelyn Norman the prom she always wanted.
Friends and family raced against time to save a dying girl’s dream.
They turned a hospital room into a prom venue when a breathing crisis drove tragically stricken Tennessee teen Katelyn Norman back to intensive care just before the big gala was set to start.
Norman, 14, of Campbell County, Tenn., started her “bucket list” of
dreams, including going to prom, after she heard last week that the
vicious bone cancer that had ravaged her young body for two years was progressing irreversibly.
The community had banded together to help make her dream come true. Her family and friends booked a reception hall in LaFollette and prepared a huge party for Katelyn to attend, but earlier in the day she had breathing trouble and was rushed to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital, reported local station WATE.
So at the last moment, the hospital staff and friends converted her hospital room into a makeshift venue.
Katelyn's date wore a white suit as he gave Katelyn a corsage and a white sash, reading "prom queen," as she lay in her bed with an oxygen mask.
"Katie in the Sky with Diamonds," the night's theme, was spelled out in green icing across a blue cake.
More well-wishers gathered in the shape of a heart outside her hospital window holding candles.
"They wheeled her over to the window and propped her up to where she
could wave outside to the crowd," said Sharon Shepherd, the teacher at Katelyn's school who organized the prom.
Another candlelight vigil stretched more than a mile down highway 63 where thousands turned up for an event called "Light the Night for Kate," reported ABC News.
RELATED: TEEN DYING OF BONE CANCER GETS DREAMS FULFILLED BY LOVING COMMUNITY
"I think she's a hometown hero for all of us and a great inspiration to everybody," said Seirra Ames, who held a candle for Katelyn.
Campbell County Mayor William Baird made a surprise visit to the
hospital and declared Tuesday Katelyn Norman Day for Campbell County.
"We wanted to try to make this day, and this time in her life special to her because she makes it special for people in Campbell County," the mayor explained.
Back in the original venue, the celebration of Katelyn's life continued even though the prom queen could not attend herself.
"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 Shepard.
"Tell her that I love her and she's my hero," her friend McKayla Pierce told WATE.
Another item on Katelyn's bucket list was to see metalcore band Of Mice & Men in concert and get an autographed T-shirt. Word of this dream reached the band's lead singer Austin Carlile.
"Dear Katelyn Norman, our set was for you tonight," he tweeted Tuesday. "My mind couldn't stop thinking about you the whole time. You inspire me, and I love you."
Erica Estep, a spokesperson for the hospital, told the Daily News that Katelyn is currently in critical condition in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit.
Donations to Katelyn's bucket list may be contributed here.
mwalsh@nydailynews.com
They turned a hospital room into a prom venue when a breathing crisis drove tragically stricken Tennessee teen Katelyn Norman back to intensive care just before the big gala was set to start.
Courtesy Michael Dayah
Katelyn receives a corsage from her prom date.
The community had banded together to help make her dream come true. Her family and friends booked a reception hall in LaFollette and prepared a huge party for Katelyn to attend, but earlier in the day she had breathing trouble and was rushed to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital, reported local station WATE.
Courtesy Michael Dayah
Katelyn's spirit has been an inspiration for everyone she touched, friends say.
Katelyn's date wore a white suit as he gave Katelyn a corsage and a white sash, reading "prom queen," as she lay in her bed with an oxygen mask.
Courtesy Michael Dayah
Well-wishers with candles form a heart shape outside her window.
More well-wishers gathered in the shape of a heart outside her hospital window holding candles.
Courtesy Michael Dayah
Katelyn watches the crowd of supporters from inside her hospital room.
Another candlelight vigil stretched more than a mile down highway 63 where thousands turned up for an event called "Light the Night for Kate," reported ABC News.
Courtesy Michael Dayah
Katelyn's prom date presents her with a prom queen sash.
"I think she's a hometown hero for all of us and a great inspiration to everybody," said Seirra Ames, who held a candle for Katelyn.
Courtesy Michael Dayah
"Katie in the Sky with Diamonds" was the theme of the night.
"We wanted to try to make this day, and this time in her life special to her because she makes it special for people in Campbell County," the mayor explained.
Replacement Blood Drive for Katelyn Norman/via Facebook
Katelyn, who has batted bone cancer for two years, always wanted to attend prom. Thanks to the efforts of family and friends, her dream came true.
"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 Shepard.
Courtesy Michael Dayah
The hospital staff converts a room into a prom venue for Katelyn.
Another item on Katelyn's bucket list was to see metalcore band Of Mice & Men in concert and get an autographed T-shirt. Word of this dream reached the band's lead singer Austin Carlile.
"Dear Katelyn Norman, our set was for you tonight," he tweeted Tuesday. "My mind couldn't stop thinking about you the whole time. You inspire me, and I love you."
Erica Estep, a spokesperson for the hospital, told the Daily News that Katelyn is currently in critical condition in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit.
Donations to Katelyn's bucket list may be contributed here.
mwalsh@nydailynews.com
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