How a Mexico City hospital transforms into a coming-of-age celebration for its patients

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The smell of hairspray clouds Alexa Flores López as she gets the finishing touches of an intricate updo on her thick black hair. When Alexa found out she was going to have a quinceañera — the traditional celebration for a 15th birthday in Mexico — she could barely contain herself.

“She got super excited, like her heart would come out!" said her mother, Carmen López Díaz. "She was just counting down the days.”

At the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, volunteers clad in white and blue nurse uniforms scurry to attend to birthday girls and boys. They curl hair, do makeup, and adjust bow ties.

It's all for the hospital's annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” event. Whether the young patients are in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, the hospital celebrates the coming-of-age of these teenagers. After going through expensive treatments, some families can't afford to pay for a party — with the hospital providing them an alternative.

“We've really just bought shoes because the hospital handles everything," said Díaz.

The hospital started throwing the event in 2017 after volunteer nurses caught wind that a beloved patient would turn 15 soon. They took it as an opportunity to organize a celebration for her and eventually turned it into an annual hospital event that's been going strong for seven years.

In Mexico, the “quinceñera” or “fifteenth birthday” is a huge rite of passage for adolescents, particularly girls. The occasion marks the transition of a teen into adulthood.

Though Alexa's birthday was last month, the hospital allows patients to participate if their birthdays happen within the year of the celebration.

She has been a patient at the hospital the past three years receiving treatment for lupus. Her younger sister was just diagnosed with the same disease last year, making things more difficult for the family. However, the hospital's celebration has been something to look forward to.

“We never imagined so much — we thought this was going to be a regular hospital event,” her mother said.

Francesca Solórzano, who has been a volunteer at the hospital for 17 years, assists Alexa on her big day and attends to her every need. Solórzano makes sure the teen has enough water and showers hairspray onto her dress to make sure its fabric remains crisp.

She also sports a silver and blue pin that matches Alexa's bouquet.

“I receive more than I give," Solórzano says about volunteering. “I give my time here and I get a lot of blessings in return."

Solórzano takes Alexa into a dressing area to change into her dress. When she comes out in a deep navy blue gown sprinkled with sequins, volunteers exclaim, “How pretty!” Another volunteer takes her cellphone out and snaps a picture. “She looks like a princess!”

On the other end of the room, Carlos Emilio Escalona García, 15, takes a seat with his mom after getting suited up.

For his mother, Marta Magdalena García Chávez, the day is filled with nothing but joy.

“It's really beautiful to see all of this happening,” she said. “He just had surgery so we wouldn't have had the possibility to have a party.”

Carlos has been a patient with the hospital for 13 years. He has dealt with heart problems since he was a child, and just underwent his fourth surgery. His mother said he gets tired often, but is still motivated to make the most out of every day.

“Like every other teenager, my favorite class is physical education," Carlos says. “I also really enjoy doing math — I have so much fun doing different operations.”

The preparations for the hospital's extravaganza have been a long time in the making. As early as January the hospital is already reaching out to make-up artists and other vendors to see if they want to participate. The entire event comes together free of charge.

After getting fitted into their regal looks, it's time for the party to start.

Downstairs in the banquet hall, family members crowd the dance floor, craning their necks to get a look at the teenagers. As they walk in with their partners, Carlos and Alexa end up lined up side by side.

“A round of applause for our fifteen-year-olds!” says someone in the crowd.

As they kick off the first dance, Alexa takes the hand of her partner and her mom zooms in on her phone to get a video. After the chorus of the song settles, her mother takes a deep breath and puts her phone away — ready to capture the moment.

She stares in awe at her daughter as she twirls in her blue tulle skirt.

Miztli Valencia, 15, dances with a chamberlain or escort at the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Couples dance during the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Carmen López sits with her 15-year-old daughter Alexa who is dressed in her “quinceñera” regalia as they wait for the start of the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Perla Cano, 15, dressed in her “quinceñera” gown, poses for a souvenir photo at the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Karla Valerye, 15, and her “chamberlain” or escort, arrive to the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Alexa Flores, 15, holds her bouquet as she waits for the start of the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Marta Magdalena García nuzzles her 15-year-old son Carlos Emilio who is suited up to attend the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Miztli Valencia, 15, descends a flight of stairs dressed in her “quinceañera” gown to attend the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

A nurse helps Daniela Granados, 15, dress for the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Karla Valerye, 15, sits still with a toy bunny on her lap as she has her makeup done in preparation for the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Perla Cano, 15, smells her “quinceñera” bouquet as a nurse applies the finishing touches to Cano’s hair in preparation for the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

A volunteer applies eye makeup to Karla Valerye, 15, in preparation for the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Volunteers style hair and apply makeup to 15-year-olds in preparation for the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Miztli Valencia, 15, attends the annual “Mis XV” or “My Fifteenth” birthday celebration for patients who are currently in treatment for a serious disease or have overcome cancer, at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (AP) — Florida is gearing up for what could be its biggest evacuation in seven years as Hurricane Milton strengthens over warm waters and heads toward major population centers including Tampa and Orlando.

About 7 million people were urged to evacuate Florida in 2017 as Hurricane Irma bore down on the state. The exodus jammed freeways, led to hourslong lines at gas stations that still had fuel and left evacuees frustrated and, in some cases, vowing never to evacuate again.

Hurricane Milton was “moving erratically eastward through the southern Gulf of Mexico” early Monday morning and likely to become a major hurricane later in the day, the National Hurricane Center reported.

The storm was centered about 220 miles (354 kilometers) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 770 miles (1,239 kilometers) west-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (144 kph) while moving east at 6 mph (9.6 kph), the hurricane center said.

While forecast models vary widely, the most likely path suggests Milton could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida into the Atlantic Ocean. That would largely spare other southeastern states ravaged by Hurricane Helene, which caused catastrophic damage from Florida into the Appalachian Mountains and a death toll that rose Sunday to at least 230 people.

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys and the northwestern Bahamas should monitor the system’s progress, the hurricane center said. Heavy rainfall was expected Sunday ahead of the hurricane and likely will then combine with Milton’s rainfall to flood waterways and streets in Florida, where forecasters said up to a foot (30 centimeters) of rain could fall in places through Wednesday night.

Building on lessons learned during Irma and other previous storms, Florida is staging emergency fuel for gas vehicles and charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes, Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said at a Sunday briefing.

“We are looking at every potential, possible location that can potentially house someone, as what we refer to in emergency management, as a refuge of last resort,” Guthrie added.

Hurricane Milton is intensifying rapidly and will likely be a major hurricane before slamming into the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast midweek.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that while it remains to be seen where Milton will strike, it’s clear the state is going to be hit hard.

“I don’t think there’s any scenario where we don’t have major impacts at this point," he said.

“You have time to prepare — all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis said. “If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave.”

With Milton achieving hurricane status, this is the first time the Atlantic has had three simultaneous hurricanes after September, according to Colorado State University hurricane scientist Phil Klotzbach. There have been four simultaneous hurricanes in August and September.

The St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay area is still cleaning up extensive damage from Helene and its powerful storm surge. Twelve people perished as Helene swamped the coast, with the worst damage along the narrow, 20-mile (32-kilometer) string of barrier islands that stretch from St. Petersburg to Clearwater.

DeSantis expanded his state of emergency declaration Sunday to 51 counties and said Floridians should prepare for more power outages and disruption, making sure they have a week’s worth of food and water and are ready to hit the road.

“We are preparing ... for the largest evacuation that we have seen, most likely since 2017, Hurricane Irma," Guthrie said.

People who live in homes built after Florida strengthened codes in 2004, who don’t depend on constant electricity and who aren’t in evacuation zones should probably avoid the roads, Guthrie said.

All classes and school activities in St. Petersburg’s Pinellas County preemptively closed Monday through Wednesday as Milton approached. Officials in Tampa opened all city garages free of charge to residents hoping to protect their cars from floodwaters, including electric vehicles. The vehicles must be left on the third floor or higher in each garage.

As many as 4,000 National Guard troops are helping state crews to remove debris, DeSantis said, and he directed Florida crews dispatched to North Carolina in Helene’s aftermath to return in preparation for Milton.

“All available state assets ... are being marshaled to help remove debris,” DeSantis said. “We’re going 24-7 ... it’s all hands on deck.”

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell defended her agency’s response to Hurricane’s destruction after Republicans’ false claims, amplified by former President Donald Trump, created a frenzy of misinformation across devastated communities.

“This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people and it’s really a shame we’re putting politics ahead of helping people,” Criswell told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. It has created fear and mistrust among residents against the thousands of FEMA employees and volunteers on the ground across the southeast, she said.

Despite this, Criswell said the agency is already preparing for Milton, well before it’s clear exactly where the storm will move across the Florida peninsula this week.

“We’re working with the state there to understand what their requirements are going to be, so we can have those in place before it makes landfall,” she said.

Federal disaster assistance has surpassed $137 million since Helene struck more than a week ago, one of the largest mobilizations of personnel and resources in recent history, FEMA said Sunday.

Some 1,500 active-duty troops, more than 6,100 National Guardsmen and nearly 7,000 federal workers have been deployed, shipping more than 14.9 million meals, 13.9 million liters (3.6 million gallons) of water, 157 generators and 505,000 tarps, along with approving more than $30 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 27,000 households, according to FEMA, the White House and the Department of Defense.

More than 800 people unable to return home are staying in lodging provided through FEMA and 22 shelters are still housing nearly 1,000 people as mobile feeding operations continue to help survivors. The response to Helene won’t let up during Milton and its aftermath, because FEMA has the capacity to address multiple disasters simultaneously, the agency said.

“My Administration is sparing no resource to support families as they begin their road to rebuilding,” Biden said. “We will continue working hand-in-hand with local and state leaders — regardless of political party and no matter how long it takes.”

This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration taken at 11:36pm ET on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, shows Hurricane Milton. (NOAA via AP)