TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 27, 2025) — Banner Children's Diamond Children's Medical Center celebrated a special moment Wednesday night as two teenage patients were crowned prom king and queen at the University of Arizona men’s basketball game.
Fourteen-year-old Billy Cronin and 18-year-old D’Sada Smith were crowned on the court by Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat. After their royal moment, they enjoyed the game from courtside seats, surrounded by their friends and family, as Arizona secured an 83-66 victory over Utah.
“It’s fun. I mean, it’s amazing ‘cause I get to see all the basketball players,” said Cronin, this year’s prom king.
Billy, a dedicated athlete and student at Cross Middle School, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma — a type of bone cancer — in September 2024, which led to the amputation of his lower leg.
Billy has been passionate about basketball since childhood, attending a UA men’s basketball summer camp with coach Tommy Lloyd. Next year, he will start high school at Canyon del Oro, where he is already an honorary member of the basketball team. He sits on the bench during home games, dressed in warm-ups, with hopes of stepping onto the court as a freshman in the fall.
Prom queen D’Sada Smith enjoys baking, traveling and spending time with family and friends. In March 2024, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer affecting nerve tissue, an experience that has shaped her outlook on life.
“You never know what other people are going through, and it’s important to give others grace,” she said.
Now a high school senior, D’Sada is looking ahead to college, with plans to pursue a career in pediatric health care or esthetician work.
The Banner Children's Diamond Children's Medical Center & Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation Prom is set for Saturday, March 29. This year’s theme, “A Night Under the Sea,” will be a magical evening for young patients facing serious illnesses.
“Prom is a rite of passage for teens and Child Life wants to ensure that teens undergoing hospitalization and living with chronic illness still have this opportunity, " said Hadley Trull, associate director of Child Life. "Over the past four years our Child Life team has helped to plan and implement a bespoke prom experience to meet the unique needs of our patients to help weave normalcy and fun throughout their healthcare journey. Our goal is to ensure that each patient feels special, seen, and celebrated for an event that is uniquely theirs.”
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation proudly supports Banner Children's Diamond Children’s Medical Center, helping bring joy to pediatric patients and their families.
Learn more: Diamond Children's Prom | Banner Health
For further information contact us at: media@bannerhealth.com
