Ringing the bell marks an important milestone in a cancer journey and for five young people in the Cancer Centre last week it was an exciting way to celebrate being cancer-free and finishing treatment.

Congratulations to our five graduates!

Adual, 2

Brooke, 17

Henry, 11

Lester, 5

Priyanth, 7

Many children and adolescents look forward to this celebration, and dream about pulling the bell's rope to signal their new milestone.

“Lester was so excited, he couldn’t wait to ring the bell,” said Shania, his mother. “It was a day we had been waiting for. I was quite emotional and had tears. During his treatment he was young, but also so brave and much stronger than I thought.”

After over a year of treatment, Lester is now looking forward to going to school like his older sister, playing with friends, and kicking a soccer ball as it's his favourite sport.

Like Lester, all our bell ringers are looking forward to moving on after their long and arduous treatment.  And, whether they were standing on a stool, or tall enough to grab the rope themselves, they were over the moon at being cancer-free and taking their next steps forward.

Did your child ring the bell recently, or finish their cancer treatment? You are welcome to share it on the website and in our newsletter by contacting jennifer.grinham@health.nsw.gov.au.