Ringing a bell to mark the end of radiation treatment has become a tradition in a cancer patient’s road to recovery.

The celebratory sound to mark the milestone has been missing from the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s new Radiation Therapy Unit, and the charity is appealing to the public for help.

Amanda Plante, the radiation therapist, said: “A benchmark in a cancer patient’s journey to healing is often the completion of their prescribed radiation treatments.

“To mark this accomplishment, we’d like to invite our patients to ring a bell in celebration of their last day.

“This emotional moment is often shared with family and friends, as well as staff.

“It allows those who have helped the patient reach this point in their journey to come together and commemorate this memorable occasion.”

The BCHC has provided more than 100 radiation treatments since it opened on May 23 last year and, now, it would love to present patients with a bell that carries Bermuda history or provenance.

The charity said: “An example of such a donation is the bell from the USS Scranton, which was gifted to the Seacoast Cancer Centre in Dover, New Hampshire, in 2015.

“Bells have a long tradition in the Navy and have become a tradition in cancer treatment as well, marking a milestone in a patient’s long journey.

“We hope to have this bell mounted on beautiful Bermuda cedar, accompanied by a plaque with a brief overview of the bell’s history, and displayed prominently in the Radiation Therapy Unit.

“With Bermuda’s rich seafaring history, the centre’s staff are optimistic that there is a bell of significance out there.”

The centre said the ringing of the bell is traditionally accompanied by the following poem:

“Ring this bell.

Three times well.

Its toll to clearly say.

My treatment is done.

This course is run, and I am on my way!”

• Do you know of someone who has a bell they would be willing to donate? E-mail RTinfo@chc.bm if you can help in the quest for the perfect bell