Hospital staff recreate school dance for girl, 10, awaiting heart transplant

A ten-year-old girl awaiting a heart transplant missed her school’s father-daughter dance, so hospital staff recreated it for her.

Ava Cooper, from Cleveland, Ohio, was born with severe heart defects and has spent over 200 days at Cleveland Clinic Children's waiting for a donor.

On February 12, 2025, staff transformed her hospital room into a dance hall, where her father, Sean, 38, escorted her to the special event.

Surrounded by caregivers, the pair danced to a playlist of Ava’s favorite songs.

Sean called it an "unforgettable experience" and thanked the team for making it possible.