How a Mexico City hospital turned into a Quinceañera Celebration
The smell of hairspray envelopes Alexa Flores López as she finishes her intricate high bun, her thick black hair meticulously styled. When she found out she was getting to celebrate a quinceañera—a traditional Mexican 15th birthday celebration—Alexa almost felt excited.
“She’s over the moon, like her heart might burst!” said her mother, Carmen López Díaz. “She’s counting down the days.”
At the Federico Gómez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, volunteers dressed in white and blue uniforms cheerfully attended birthday boys and girls. They curled their hair, applied makeup and adjusted their bow ties, all in preparation for the hospital’s annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” event. Even though patients are battling serious illnesses, the hospital holds a quinceañera celebration for these young people. For families struggling to pay for such an event after costly treatment, the hospital offers an alternative.
The hospital started this tradition in 2017, inspired by volunteers who wanted to celebrate a beloved patient’s upcoming 15th birthday. What began as a special occasion has grown into a beloved annual event, going strong for seven years.
In Mexico, the quinceañera represents an important milestone for adolescents, especially girls, marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Even though Alexa’s birthday was last month, the hospital still accepts patients whose birthdays fall within the year of the event.
Alexa has been a patient at this hospital for the past three years and was treated for lupus. Her younger sister was diagnosed with the same disease last year, making things even more difficult for the family. However, the hospital’s anniversary brings a joy to cherish.
“We never imagined it would be so grand,” her mother said. We thought it was just a normal hospital event.”
Francesca Solórzano, a volunteer at the hospital for 17 years, assisted Alexa on her special day, fulfilling her wishes. Solórzano made sure the young woman stayed hydrated and even sprayed her dress with hairspray to keep it smooth.
She also wore a silver and blue hair clip that matched Alexa’s bouquet. “I get more than I give,” Solórzano said of his volunteer work. “I spend time here and receive countless blessings.”
Solórzano helps Alexa into the dressing area to put on her dress. When Alexa appeared in a sequined navy blue dress, volunteers exclaimed, “She looks amazing!” Another volunteer recorded this moment with a phone camera. “She looks like a princess!”
Across the room, 15-year-old Carlos Emilio Escalona García was sitting with his mother after getting dressed.
For his mother, Marta Magdalena García Chávez, every day is filled with joy. She said: “It’s amazing to see all this going on. He just had surgery so we can’t have a party.”
Carlos has been a patient in the hospital for 13 years, has faced heart problems since he was young and recently underwent his fourth surgery. Even though he is often tired, he is still motivated to make the most of every day.
“Like any other teenager, my favorite class is gym,” Carlos said. “I also love math—especially solving different equations.”
The hospital’s preparations for the big event begin in advance. Since January, the hospital has been reaching out to makeup artists and other vendors to see if they wanted to participate. The entire event is free for families.
After dressing in elegant outfits, it’s time for the celebration to begin. The girls and boys will be the main characters in their party.
Downstairs in the party room, family members gathered on the dance floor, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the teens. As Carlos and Alexa lined up with their partners, the crowd erupted in cheers.
“Let’s give a round of applause for our fifteen year olds!” someone shouted.
When the first dance began, Alexa held her partner’s hand and her mother used her phone to zoom in to capture the moment. When the song’s chorus ended, her mother took a deep breath and put away her phone, ready to enjoy the moment.
She looked admiringly at her daughter as Alexa twirled in her tulle dress.
