Ring 4 Cancer launches to celebrate cancer survivors
PARKTOWN – The Ring 4 Cancer campaign launched its first bell at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
For many people ringing a bell doesn’t seem that significant but to cancer patients ringing the bell symbolises a battle won and a new journey ahead.
Across the world ringing a bell on a patient’s last day of treatment – to mark their victory over cancer – has become standard practice in treatment facilities. Patients describe this moment as restoration of hope and the sound of victory.
Campaigning for Cancer launched the Ring 4 Cancer campaign at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre on 1 February as part of its celebration of survival. The campaign will begin on World Cancer Day, 4 February.
“It’s just a simple act of ringing the bell, but for me, it was a symbol of hope and the strength I had to complete the course [and] finish the race. It was one of the watershed moments of my cancer fight,” said Felicity Jethney, a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor and co-founder of the group Cancer In Young Adults.
Campaigning for Cancer, in partnership with various sponsors, will make sure that private oncology practices and state oncology facilities are equipped with a bell for patients when their last treatment has come and gone.
They can ring their treatment facility’s bell four times to celebrate hope, strength, recovery, and victory with fellow patients, their healthcare team, friends, and family.
As part of Roche’s commitment to partner with patient groups, the healthcare company is one of the first sponsors who has come on board to sponsor bells towards this important campaign.
“The sound of victory will ring throughout the year as we hope to ensure that each treatment facility is fitted with a Ring 4 Cancer bell, at no cost to the facility or patients. Getting through cancer treatment is a big deal, and it needs to be celebrated,” said Lauren Pretorius, CEO of Campaigning for Cancer.
As more Ring 4 Cancer bells are distributed to treatment facilities, patients will also have the opportunity to invite their loved ones to ring a virtual bell on the Campaigning for Cancer website.
Share your thoughts on the Ring 4 Cancer campaign on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page.
