Watch CBS News

Friends Bring HS Graduation Ceremony To Friend In Hospital Battling Inoperable Brain Tumor

HO LLYWOOD (CBS) —The past two weeks have been anything but typical in the life of high school senior Paul Promen, 17.

Just two weeks ago he was at his prom when he complained about a very bad headache. He was rushed to the ER when he got even worse news...he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

The Moorepark High School senior spent the next ten days in the ICU at Children's Hospital LA.

Tomorrow was supposed to be his graduation day.

Paul Promen1
Paul Promen graduated from high school despite being in the hospital. (credit: CBS)

Friends and family were not going to let him also miss his graduation. As Juan Fernandez reports for KCAL9, they brought graduation to Paul Promen today at the hospital's garden.

In a wheelchair, and groggy from a biopsy just yesterday, he was still able to tell Fernandez how touched he was his friends went the extra mile for him. "This is pretty amazing," he said.

He was even able to wear his cap and gown.

Promen's mom, Carol Agajanian, told Juan Fernandez that her son really didn't want to miss graduation on top of everything else: "He's already missed his prom, grad night, his track banquet, the senior picnic. Everything that seniors look forward to." She was clearly touched by her son's friends and their gesture.

It's expected Promen will have to spend the next seven weeks in the hospital.

His friends told Fernandez that Paul Promen is a fighter and he will beat this cancer.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.