How a Mexico City hospital is becoming a coming-of-age party for its patients

MEXICO CITY — The scent of Alexa Flores López’s hair conditioner clouds as she gets rave reviews for her thick black hair. When Alexa found out she was going to have a quinceañera – a traditional 15th birthday party in Mexico – she couldn’t help herself.

“He was so happy, as if his heart would burst!” said his mother, Carmen López Díaz. “He was counting the days.”

At the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, volunteers in white and blue nursing uniforms rush to care for birthday girls and boys. They curl their hair, do their makeup, and fix their bow ties.

All for the hospital’s annual “Miss XV” or “My Fifteen” event. Whether young patients are being treated for a serious illness or have overcome cancer, the hospital celebrates the arrival of these young people. After receiving expensive treatment, some families cannot afford the party – the hospital offers them an alternative.

“We just bought shoes because the hospital handles everything,” said Díaz.

The hospital started throwing the event in 2017 after volunteer nurses got wind that a beloved patient would turn 15 soon. They took it as an opportunity to prepare a party for her and eventually turned it into an annual hospital event that has been going strong for seven years.

In Mexico, “quinceñera” or “fifteenth birthday” is a big rite of passage for young people, especially girls. This event marks the transition of a teenager into an adult.

Although Alexa’s birthday was last month, the hospital allows patients to participate if their birthdays fall in the year of the celebration.

He has been a patient in the hospital for the past three years receiving treatment for lupus. His younger brother was recently diagnosed with the same disease last year, which made the family even more difficult. However, the hospital party was something to look forward to.

“We never thought so much – we thought this would be a normal hospital event,” said his mother.

Francesca Solórzano, who has been a volunteer at the hospital for 17 years, helps Alexa on her big day and helps her with all her needs. Solórzano makes sure that the teenager has enough water and hair showers in her wardrobe to make sure that her hair stays fresh.

She also sports a silver and blue pin that matches Alexa’s flowers.

Solórzano says voluntarily: “I receive more than I give.”

Solórzano takes Alexa to the dressing room to put on her dress. When she comes out in a deep navy blue dress sprinkled with sequins, the volunteers shout, “How beautiful!” One volunteer takes out his cell phone and takes a photo. You look like a princess!

Across the room, Carlos Emilio Escalona García, 15, sits on a chair with his mother after getting ready.

For his mother, Marta Magdalena García Chávez, the day is full of joy.

He said: “It’s really nice to see all this happening. He just had surgery so we wouldn’t have had a chance to have a party.

Carlos has been a patient at the hospital for 13 years. He has been dealing with heart problems since he was a child, and he recently had his fourth operation. His mother said he is often tired, but is motivated to make the most of each day.

Carlos says: “Like every teenager, my favorite class is physical education.” I also enjoy doing math—I enjoy doing various operations.

Arrangements for hospital jewelry are long in the making. Since January the hospital has been approaching cosmetics manufacturers and other retailers to see if they want to participate. The entire event meets free of charge.

After they get into their royal looks, it’s time for the party to begin.

Downstairs in the banquet hall, family members are crowded onto the dance floor, craning their necks to see the young people. As they enter with their partners, Carlos and Alexa end up lining up next to each other.

“A round of applause for our fifteen-year-olds!” said someone in the crowd.

As they begin the first dance, Alexa holds her partner’s hand and her mother reaches for her phone to get a video. After the song settles, her mother takes a deep breath and puts her phone away – ready to capture the moment.

She stares at her daughter as she twirls in her blue tulle dress.