End of treatment bell brings hope for cancer patients

July 21, 2015

When Cade Beasly’s parents got the news that their little boy was diagnosed with Osteo Sarcoma, it was a devastating moment that brought many fears. For nearly nine months, Cade underwent treatments that left him weak and tired. On May 27, Cade’s tests came back and he was finally declared cancer-free. He would no longer be spending hours at a time on the 14th floor of the Clinical Care Center as he endured pricks while receiving life-saving medications. Just a few weeks later, Cade was back for a special occasion. He was one of the first children to ring the end of treatment bell.

“It makes me so happy to see him ring that bell signaling the end of his treatment,” said Cade’s mom Jessica Peterson. “There are so many emotions when you reach the end of your child’s treatment, but this moment is definitely a happy one.”

Cade was there to join his friend Ethan Williamson who donated the bells, one on the inpatient cancer and hematology unit and one for the outpatient unit. Each Bell is placed next to a plaque that reads, “Let your strength and courage be felt by all, as this bell’s song fills this hall. For every time we hear this note, another life be filled with hope. Stay strong.”

The bells were unveiled during a ceremony within each unit that brought out patients, families and the cancer and hematology centers staff.

Purple Songs Can Fly artist and cancer survivor Christian Spear dedicated a song for the ceremony. Listen to the touching lyrics below.