End of treatment bell opportunity offered to Island residents

Three-year-old's family has cancer bell made to mark end of treatment

The family of a three-year-old girl who's recently finished chemotherapy is offering people on the Isle of Man the chance to signal the end of their own cancer treatment.

This is usually done by the ringing of a bell at hospital - however there isn't one at the Island's oncology department.

So when Suzanne Collister wanted her daughter Savannah to ring the bell, in front of family and friends, they had one specially made.

And now she’s offering others the chance to borrow the bell because she believes, for some, it can be hugely symbolic, although she adds she completely understands why there isn't one over here:

You can access Suzanne's Facebook group HERE.

We contacted Manx Care and received the following response:

"We have looked into having a bell in the Oncology Day Unit and, as part of that exercise, consulted users of the unit as to their views on this.

"There was an incredibly strong sentiment that whilst people were happy for individuals finishing their treatment, they themselves did not wish to see others ringing the bell given that they were undergoing active treatment, particularly if they were feeling very unwell.

"In addition, there are often people undergoing active treatment with a terminal diagnosis. The people who were consulted felt that this could be upsetting to the unit’s users, as well as the family members who may be accompanying them. On this basis, there is no bell on the Oncology Day Unit or in any of the clinical consulting areas.  

"Manx Care recognises that some people wish to ring the bell to signal the end of their treatment or receiving an ‘all clear’ diagnosis and is considering what this could look like. We have had some thoughts, but wish to consult with all parties who may be involved in this before providing further detail."