Cancer Support Community Arizona (CSCAZ), which provides free support programs to individuals impacted by cancer in the Phoenix metro area, will host a homecoming dance this Saturday, Sept. 30 for members of its Youth, Teen and Family program.
The theme of this year’s Homecoming event, “Starstruck,” taps into Hollywood glamour and will offer plenty of extras designed to make each guest feel like a movie star, said Mary Hald, coordinator of the Youth, Teen and Family program
In addition to the catered dinner and dance, each attendee will also get their own dress or suit free of charge, free hair and makeup services, and a “swag bag” filled with gifts.
“For many of our members, this is a night when they can forget about cancer and just enjoy themselves,” said Hald. “Many of them have missed out on proms or homecoming dances. We want them to be able to focus on making new friends and new memories with people who understand the journey they are on.”
Chloe Gronda, 14, says she’s eagerly anticipating the event, which will be her first formal dance as a teenager.
“I’ve made a bunch of new friends through Cancer Support Community and I’m looking forward to being with them,” she said. “And the dancing and the dressing up."
Chloe’s mother, Laura, an ovarian cancer survivor, says the Youth, Teen and Family programs have given her daughter a safe place to share her feelings with peers who also are impacted by cancer.
“She didn’t want to talk about it at school because she didn’t want to be the person with the mother with cancer,” said Laura. “Cancer Support Community is where she can open up because everyone here understands her situation.”
In addition to annual events like homecoming, the youth program offers a wide variety of regular programming, including Cookies and Community, a support group that focuses on self-care and the challenges of dealing with cancer; game and movie nights; community family dinners; expressive arts classes; and special outings to places like the Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale.
For more information about homecoming or to register with the Youth, Teen and Family program at Cancer Support Community Arizona, email [email protected].
