Health and fitness are not always visibly related to sickness. Although this young girl was energetic, good at sports, and kept herself happy and physically fit, she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, which ultimately claimed her life.
Catherine Malatesta was a 16-year-old loving daughter and was very popular at school with loads of friends. She looked forward to living life to the fullest and was extremely ambitious. It was only during the last year of high school that she developed health issues.
She experienced some soreness in her shoulder. The family thought it was a sports injury, as she normally led a very active life. But the news of her illness came as a huge shock, both to her family and friends. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and there was nothing much the doctors could do to save her.
The family was devastated, but what followed at school after losing their beloved friend, is what touched everybody’s hearts.
According to Lifebuzz, her closest friends thought of honoring their departed classmate, who would no longer be a part of their cheerful, happy group. Four of her friends decided to wear the same dress Catherine had worn for her prom, just before the fateful day, for their own respective proms.
There was sadness, mixed with happiness that the girls felt in commemorating their best friend’s beautiful but short life, in this manner!
Just weeks after this photo was taken, Catherine was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer
When she first felt the pain in her shoulder, she thought it was a sports injury
She felt tired and weak just after being released from hospital but kept her charming smile on for her prom. She looked absolutely beautiful in her lovely blue dress
“She turned to me and said, ‘Mom, for the first time in a long time, I actually feel beautiful,'” her mother, Jennifer Goodwin said. “It was such a lovely moment and I was so happy that she felt like that for one day. It was a special, special night for all of us.”
Sadly, several days after the prom, she was re-admitted to the hospital.
Two months later, she passed away, far too young for her family and friends to accept and come to terms with
Distraught over their friends loss, they wanted to find a way to honor her
The four close friends are honoring her memory by wearing the blue gown to their own proms, a loving tribute that Goodwin calls “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Prom Dress.”
“It makes me so happy that these girls want to honor her in such a simple, yet incredibly powerful way,” mom Goodwin said.
“They’re carrying Catherine’s spirit with them,” she added
“She will forever be a part of their hearts and souls but wearing the dress is an outward physical acknowledgment of that love,” said the mother
Best friend Jillian grew up with Catherine. “l definitely felt her with me the whole time and it was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world,” she told Today in between tears. “It’s an extra memory of her that I have to hold on to.”
Source: Arlington Boys & Girls 