If you walk down the halls of the MUHC cancer ward, you may hear a bell ringing.
It signifies the end of a patient’s medical journey and reminds the hospital’s staff of the work they’ve accomplished.
A cancer patient will ring the bell once they reach remission in their treatment.
“It brings a lot of joy to everybody who’s been involved with the patient,” said Judy Martin, who founded The Bell Fund.
“Obviously, for the patient and the family it’s a celebration. For the team around them — the nurses, the doctors — it’s also a celebration of what they’ve done to help these people.”
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Martin founded The Bell Fund in September 2013 after overcoming cancer.
She joined Global’s Laura Casella Thursday to talk about the program that provides comfort kits to cancer patients.
WATCH ABOVE: The unveiling of The Bell Fund’s comfort kits at the MUHC’s Cedar Cancer Centre.
The comfort kits were inspired by Martin’s older sister, who had given her a few items to help her through chemotherapy.
After Martin rang the bell, her doctor asked her to prepare a kit for direct patient care.
“I wasn’t really looking for a new project,” admitted Martin.
“But I said, if we can do this, then let’s do this.”
The comfort kits provided by The Bell Fund contain items that cancer patients will use during their treatments:
- A blanket
- A water bottle
- Tin of mints
- Information pamphlets
- A magazine
- A notebook and pen
- Cards with well wishes from school children
Variations of the kit have been made for the Montreal Children’s Hospital through Sarah’s Fund.
Martin has been raising funds through donations and fundraisers as each kit costs about $30.
The foundation’s next fundraiser is a Medici di McGill (Physicians of McGill) orchestra concert with all proceeds going to The Bell Fund.
‘Symphony for ‘The Bell” benefit concert takes place Nov. 19 at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul.
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