CLEVELAND — Walking into a cancer treatment center can be scary -- especially if you’re a teenager.
But for one patient at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, just a little bit of music can go a long way.
"[Karen Lopez] started requesting Taylor Swift music every day," says radiation therapist Carlee Zuigarlicke. "So then every day we just kept asking her, 'What album are we listening to today? What song are we listening to today?'"
Dr. Daniel Spratt, the chair of the department of Radiation Oncology, says music helps patients bond with their team of doctors.
"Having the music you want to listen to, especially something that you then bond over with your treatment team, it creates almost like a fun environment for her."
When it was time for Karen's final treatment, the team at Seideman Cancer Center discovered another big milestone.
"One of our coworkers actually realized that it was her birthday on her last treatment day," said Zuigarlicke.
Not just any birthday, but her sweet 16.
So they turned to the biggest Swiftie on the radiation floor, which is Carlee.
"And I just [said] we gotta have balloons, like we gotta do the sash, we've gotta do the crown," she said "Just anything everybody ever wants on your sweet 16."
With the help of the whole department, they turned her birthday into one to remember.
"It was just so amazing when she got on that treatment table," said Dr. Spratt. "It's like it was a fun experience for her, and I would say that's probably one of the best 16th birthdays I've ever seen someone have."
Dr. Spratt himself even got involved, dressing as Taylor's boyfriend, Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce.
"They asked, 'Dan, do you wanna be part of this?' And of course that's the best part of my day is getting to put a smile on a patient's face," he said. "I'm not as the department chair going to probably dress up in a Taylor Swift dress or wig. But Travis Kelce is probably the close second."
The title of Taylor Swift went to radiation therapist Chase, who treated her the most.
"She was thrilled to see the effort that was put in by everybody and everybody that showed up for her," said Zuigarlicke. "We all wanted to be there on her last day and celebrate it with her, because a day that should be celebrated is your last treatment."
And for the team: Seeing how they can make the hardest part of a teen’s life brighter makes it all worth it.
"It touched my heart," Dr. Spratt said. "I am just so forever grateful to work with this team that goes so far above and beyond to make, you know, what is the worst day potentially in someone's life? Probably one of the most memorable they'll have."