The child from Hood River, Ore., has been
battling Stage 4 neuroblastoma and, with her
family wanting to make the most of every
moment together, ended up being the guest of
honor at an incredible celebration for her 5th
birthday.
Lila's mom, Heidi Hall, shared on Facebook,
"My little princess is turning 5 on July 31, and
this is quite possibly her last birthday (We
hope to have many more, but this is our
reality)."
Wanting to make the birthday extra-special
and commemorate all of the celebrations Lila
could miss, Heidi wrote, "She really wants to
have a ball as a party, complete with fancy
dresses and dancing and a few other ideas I've
come up with. We really want to make this a
big party, seeing as how she will never get to
go to the prom or have a wedding. I want her
to feel like the [belle] of the ball!"
Message received, and people reportedly
turned out from all over to celebrate the little
princess!
According to resources, about 1,000 people
showed up to party, even though the building
just held 180 people. Some revelers even
drove in from as far away as California, Idaho,
and Utah.
Lila, meanwhile, arrived in true Cinderella
fashion in a horse-drawn carriage, and her
gown was custom-made by a woman who
lived out of state who heard the child's story.
Days before the ball, she was dancing around
in anticipation.
She even had her very own Prince Charmings--
her dad and stepdad--to twirl her around the
dance floor.
We're going to guess there was nary a dry eye
in the house.
And at the end of Lila's dance with her
stepdad, he proposed, asking for her hand
in marriage so that she wouldn't miss having a
will-you-marry-me moment of her own.
More than 30 volunteers turned out to make
the family, community, and ultimately
nationwide effort come together. And just one,
but six cakes were donated for the celebration,
according to resources.
Hall said,
"Thanks is not enough. I don't even know a lot
of these people."
The celebration was "just the most beautiful
thing I think I've ever seen," Lila's mom added.
Meanwhile, The Elle Foundation has helped
fulfill another of Lila's princess dreams, which
was to go to Disney Aulani in Hawaii. Dressed
in a princess gown, of course, Lila May
screamed in excitement as she hugged her
mom's legs upon getting the good news!
As Lila May continues to fight, her family is
currently raising money to help cover their
mounting medical expenses.
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