Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s Radiation Therapy Unit has all the latest bell and whistles but is missing the signature sound of the celebration bell signifying the end of cancer treatment.  The ringing of a bell has become a significant part of a patient’s radiation course and for this reason, and we are reaching out to the public to help source this particular bell.

 

“A benchmark in a cancer patient’s journey to healing is often the completion of their prescribed radiation treatments. To mark this accomplishment, we’d like to invite our patients to ring a bell in celebration of their last day” says Amanda Plante, Radiation Therapist at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre. “This emotional moment is often shared with family and friends as well as staff. It allows those who have helped the patient reach this point in their journey to come together and commemorate this memorable occasion.”

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is grateful for the tremendous support from our community which enables us to provide our services to residents of Bermuda regardless of their level of health insurance. We are now appealing for this particular donation. 

The Centre would love to be able to present patients with a bell that carries Bermuda history, or provenance.  An example of such a donation is the bell from the USS Scranton which was gifted to the Seacoast Cancer Center in Dover, New Hampshire in 2015. Bells have a long tradition in the Navy and have become a tradition in cancer treatment as well, marking a milestone in a patient's long journey.

We hope to have this bell mounted on beautiful Bermuda cedar, accompanied by a plaque with a brief overview of the bell’s history, and displayed prominently in the Radiation Therapy Unit. Traditionally, the bell is accompanied by the following poem, inviting all patients their turn ringing it: 

“Ring this bell.  

Three times well. 

Its toll to clearly say.   

My treatment is done.  

This course is run, and I am on my way!“

With Bermuda’s rich seafaring history, the Centre’s staff are optimistic that there is a bell of significance out there! 

Do you know of someone who has a bell they’d be willing to donate?  Please email RTinfo@chc.bm if you are able to help in the quest for the perfect bell.

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Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre has a clinical affiliation with Dana-Farber/ Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center for Radiation Therapy.  As an essential component of comprehensive cancer care, Radiation Therapy is recommended for 60-70% of all cancer patients. With the outpouring of support from the community, the local not for profit has already provided over 100 radiation treatments to the people of Bermuda since May 23, 2017.