Salon gives high school cancer patients free prom makeovers

CHULA VISTA, CA (KTRK) -- It's prom season, and not even battling cancer stopped a group of high school cancer patients from going.

A group of Chula Vista students battling cancer spent Friday morning getting pampered for prom, thanks to a salon in San Diego, KSWB reports.

Rico's Salon treated the 30 girls to complementary hair and makeup services to get them ready for prom.

"I feel gorgeous. I never put on makeup but when this came on, I was like, 'Wow'," 17-year-old Ellen Erickson told KSWB.

Erickson was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at age 11 and has had 13 surgeries. Her mother said at one point she was down to 88 pounds.

The owner of the salon, Snooky Rico, said she understands the girls' struggles firsthand. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

"These kids are my heroes. You know, just to see these kids go through what they go through takes me away from what I go through," said Rico.

Rico and a group of volunteers have been getting girls prom-ready for the last six years through the Friends of Scott Foundation.

The girls headed for a special prom Friday night, complete with a red carpet thrown in their honor.