Celebration bell installed at Novant Health cancer institute to mark patient milestones

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — A new celebration bell is now installed outside the Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute, offering cancer patients and their families a way to recognize milestones throughout their treatment journeys.

The bell is designed to mark more than just the end of infusion treatments. Hospital officials say it can be rung to celebrate a range of moments, including completing treatment, recovering from a procedure, reaching a personal goal or honoring the memory of a loved one.

Stephen Gore, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2004 and is now cancer-free, rang the bell Friday to celebrate his own experience.

“This right here, is something that hopefully not everybody has to ring but if you do, it’s just a significant ending to a journey that you never thought you would be in, so I’m very appreciative,” Gore said.

Gore said he had no symptoms prior to his diagnosis and underwent years of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Now cancer-free, he runs marathons and raises money for cancer research.