SPL NEWS
53 November/December 2018 StPeteLifeMag.com
After dedicating the St. Anthony’s Hospital
Cancer Center Cancer Survivor Bell earlier this
person to ring it. That’s because Sr. Mary, vice
president of Mission at St. Anthony’s Hospital
and a member of the Franciscan Sisters of
Allegany (N.Y.), the founders of St. Anthony’s
Hospital, is also a cancer survivor.
“Ringing the bell is an important part of the
healing process,” said Sr. Mary. “We want all of
our patients to feel that they can celebrate the
end of their treatment.”
“It’s so wonderful to hear the sound of the bell,” said Sandra Bailey,
Cancer Center manager. “We love our patients and they become
family to us. But when they complete treatment, we tell them that
we don’t want to see them again. Now we can see them as they
return to ring the bell for each year since their treatment ended.”
The practice of ringing the bell three times at the end of cancer
treatment represents the restoration of harmony and balance in
a patient’s life, Bailey said. Many hospitals throughout the United
States and abroad have adopted ringing the bell as a symbol of
renewal for their patients.
When the bell was dedicated in April, current
and former patients rang the bell more than
150 times to signal the end of treatment or the
number of years since they had been treated.
In all 157 patients have rung the bell, Bailey
said.
Providing quality care for patients is the calling
for the team at the St. Anthony’s Hospital
of cancer care services, including prevention,
education, diagnosis and treatment. The center
is a state-of-the-art facility, with advanced
provide quality and compassionate care for patients. The center
comprehensive surgical services; diagnosis, staging and treatment
monitoring; and leading diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.
A specialty at the cancer center is the St. Anthony’s Pancreatic
a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach utilizing a team of
experienced physicians and nurses which has been able to provide
high-quality outcomes for patients.
Ringing in a New Life
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