A young cancer survivor from Virginia is getting some help from a national non-profit organization to help her make her senior prom memorable.

Chris Buckley has more from our Iron Range Bureau.

18-year old Mandi Alto was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer five years ago... one of just eight known cases. She's overcome that and numerous other health problems.

And comedy cures director Sarann Rothberg is making sure Mandi will never forget her prom day.

Wednesday she's flying to New York with her stepmother for a whirlwind day featuring a complete makeover, dress fitting, shopping spree and Broadway show all being made possible by donations.

"It went from she got me a dress to this, which is beyond my wildest dreams."

"Two weeks ago we got a call, can you come to New york? We're like um, yeah! I've never been out of Minnesota except to visit family in North Dakota and Wisconsin for family, so that's going to be a huge deal."

Mandi's father Darin is a cancer survivor as well... and has undergone six major surgeries.

The family got involved with the comedy cures program about four years ago... which provides people living with illness the opportunity to integrate joy and laughter into each day.

"Push through every day, every day is a gift and laughter helps get you through everything, if you can laugh about it, it will help you 100 percent, I guarantee it! If they say you can't get through it, even if you can't, you can."

"One of the things that helped our family is despite all the challenges we always made an attempt to laugh. I think it's one of the most important issues and Saranne and her organization helped us do that."

Mandi will be meeting Sarann for the first time... and a camera crew will be filming her special day.

"The hardest part is, being sick a lot stepped me from doing things, my high school life has been pretty non-existent, so this will be the first time something major gets to happen and I'm not in the hospital."

Cancer survivor and plus-size model Emme will be there to give modeling tips before a celebrity-style photo shoot.

Rothberg says she hopes Mandi's courage will inspire other kids living with illnesses to find mentors and ask for help so they too can live their dreams.

For Range 11, I'm Chris buckley