Mentor Couple Spearheading A Special Prom For Kids With Cancer

Jane and Michael Knausz helped organize their first Prom To Remember -- a dance especially for teens who have been affected by cancer -- last year.

More than 130 kids from all over Northeast Ohio donned their tuxedos and dresses, many of which were donated. Then, they danced and celebrated at a party hosted by the Ritz-Carlton at the Silver Point Grille.

Many of the teens had missed their own homecomings, formals and even proms because of cancer, so the night meant a lot to them, Jane Knausz said.

"There was one boy who got out of the hospital at 2 p.m. that day and he came to the prom," Jane Knausz said.

The Knauszes first heard about A Prom To Remember from their daughter Kimberly Knausz, who had helped organize one of the dances in Florida.

"She would tell us the stories of the kids and they were so heart rending and touching," Jane Knausz said.

Jane and Michael run and they take a lot of dance photos. That means they know what it takes to make a prom run smoothly.

Consequently, when their daughter told them about A Prom To Remember, they thought, "We know florists. We know limo companies. We know how this works," Jane Knausz said.

So the Knauszes decided to put their know-how to work and they spearheaded Cleveland's first A Prom To Remember.

Of course, they could not have done it without several benefactors who donated dresses, tuxedos, flowers, the use of limos and everything else needed for a wonderful night -- even dancers from donated their time and made sure the dance floor stayed packed all night.

"We could not do this by ourselves," Jane Knausz said. "We have a good team."

If you or your business want to join that team, there are a lot of big and small ways in which people can make this year's A Prom To Remember just as memorable.

For example, the is hosting a fundraiser Feb. 25. All the money put into the tip jar at the bar that day will go to A Prom To Remember. Also, the Knauszes will have 50/50 and Chinese raffles to raise money.

Meanwhile, Nichole Witterman Felice and Staci Weiss Garvey are scheduling a dress drive collect gently used dresses at .

Those who wish to donate a prize for the raffle or otherwise support A Prom To Remember can call 440-639-1152 or contact the Ohio Prom To Remember Facebook page.

More A Prom To Remember links:

• check out the Flickr page with photos from last year's dance.
• see a video from the dance on YouTube.
• Regina Brett also interviewed some of the kids at the dance for her column.