CARIBOU, Maine — “Ring this bell three times well, its toll to clearly say, “My treatment’s done, this course is run, and I am on my way.”
June 20th was a very special day for patient Heather Fox, her family and staff at Caribou’s Jefferson Cary Cancer Center. Fox received her last chemotherapy treatment that Tuesday morning, and was the first patient to “ring the bell” donated by her family.
After finding out many cancer centers have a bell for patients to ring the day they have their last chemo treatment, Fox’s family sprang into action. Now the new JCCC bell hangs just inside the treatment area door so that all patients can ring it after reaching that milestone in their cancer journey.
Patient Heather Fox and her family recently donated a bell to the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center in Caribou, designed to be run by patients finishing their course of chemotherapy. Fox, upon finishing her own treatment, was the first to ring the bell. From left are Kaitlyn Umphrey, RN, OCN; Linda White, LPN; Fox’s brother, Daniel Hafford, Jr.; Jenn Plant, RN, JCCC manager; Fox’s dad, Daniel Hafford Sr.; Peggy Barnes, RN; Fox’s brother, Bill Hafford; her sister, Dani Keiser; Vicki Cowett, CNA; Fox; her mother, Cindy Hafford; her aunt, Mary Bragg, and Kris Doody, RN, Cary CEO.
(Contributed photo/Cary Medical Center)
The bell was just another way for Heather’s family to show support since her breast cancer diagnosis last November. Her sister, Dani Keiser, who lives in Holland, Texas, began raising funds by making “Dani’s Bracelets” and donating the proceeds to purchase the bell, and also to raise funds for “TeamHeather” to participate in Aroostook Relay for Life this past June 16.
One of Heather’s brothers, Dan Hafford Jr., a member of the military stationed in Okinawa, Japan, surprised Heather by making the trip to Maine to participate in Relay and to be there to dedicate the bell with Heather and his family. Another brother, Bill Hafford, of Union, carved the granite stone for the plaque and bell.
After each patient ceremoniously rings the bell, they also have the opportunity to write a personal note in a journal for the next patient.
“When we found out about Heather’s diagnosis, of course we were shocked and terrified and didn’t know what to do,” Dani said. “We just wanted to support Heather and help her through this. Ringing the bell is a symbol to recognize what these patients have been through, and how far they’ve come in their journey.”
“Our patients become part of our family,” explained Jenn Plant, RN, JCCC manager. “This bell has a very special story; it’s part of them and part of us, and we are so honored that Heather’s family chose to share this with us.”
The family also created a Team Heather flag honoring Heather and her brother, Dan’s, best friend, who also battled cancer. The family has been reaching out to other hospitals, hoping they can add bells to other cancer centers across the country. While here in Aroostook County, they also donated a bell to Aroostook Cancer Care at The Aroostook Medical Center.
Now all JCCC chemotherapy patients can ring the bell in ceremonial recognition of achieving their milestone and being on their way.
Fox poignantly summed up what everyone was feeling on that special day: “I really love everyone here, but I hope we don’t have to come back.”
