'Symbol of hope' hung inside Royal Bournemouth Hospital's cancer ward
Cancer patients donates 'Hope Bell' for people to ring when they reach a “treatment milestone”
The Royal Bournemouth Hospital has installed a ‘bell of hope’ to boost moral for patients with cancer.
David Le Monnier, who’s currently on his fourth round of chemotherapy and waiting for a bone marrow transplant, donated the bell for patients to ring when they reach a treatment milestone.
The Jersey man got the idea for the bell when he saw another patient be applauded out by staff as she left her final treatment, she asked “Is there a bell I could ring” but there wasn’t.
“That was my lightbulb moment!” David said.
The appropriately named ‘Jersey Hope Bell’ is hung alongside a plaque with a message to patients.
It reads: “A patient requires courage, resilience and determination to endure a course of treatment for cancer. It also requires the skill, knowledge and dedication of the doctors and nurses who administer the treatment.
“If you have just completed a course of treatment or have reached a positive landmark along the way, you might wish to ring the ‘Jersey Hope Bell’ to celebrate your achievement, to inspire other patients who follow you along a similar path and to thank all the staff from haematology in patient unit who have helped make it possible for you.”
Marie Miller, senior matron for cancer care, said: “As a team we really appreciate receiving the bell from David. Having a bell to celebrate the success milestones of a patients receiving their treatment is a massive boost not only for patients, but their families and our team. It is great that we can all come together to recognise this.”
Marie Miller, senior matron for cancer care, said: “Having a bell to celebrate the milestones of our patients receiving their treatment. This is a massive boost not only for patients, but their families and our team.”
The bell is for both patients and staff members. It is a symbol of hope and celebration serving as a morale boost for everyone in the hospital: “All achievements are important,” David said.