As they brace for the worst, a little girl and her family decided to throw the grandest birthday complete with her supposed milestones such as a prom and a wedding.
It was certainly a birthday like no other. Dressed in a customized blue Cinderella ball gown, on Friday, July 31, Lila May Schow, 5, with her parents Ryan Schow and Heidi Hall, arrived in a carriage. She was greeted by hundreds of her court, with guests and happy strangers flying from different parts of the country. She then walked on her red carpet into an old bank where she's about to celebrate her biggest day.
Inside, food, balloons, and other treats seemed to be overflowing. Other little girls and even boys participated in games and activities including face painting. Some ladies dressed in their favorite Disney princesses to add more cheer to the celebration and to wish for Lila May.
Later in the party, her dad proposed to her and eventually celebrated their wedding day complete with a heartfelt dance.
Friends and family were making the most of the moment as Lila May may not be able to reach her sixth, more so her prom and wedding.
About 3 years ago, Lila May was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, which affects the sympathetic nervous system and develops while the child is still a fetus or embryo. It is rare to occur among children past 10 but common among infants until 2 years old. Like many types of cancer, neuroblastoma is sporadic or with no known cause. There's also no appropriate screening for it that by the time the disease was discovered, she was already stage IV.
She had been receiving treatments including chemotherapy. Recently, however, they were stopped as the cancer has already turned terminal. By estimate, she may still get to celebrate Thanksgiving.
While the affair was marked by hint of sadness, it was incredibly joyful, something that the little girl would never forget. The family also thanked everyone who continuously supported their family.