'The Bell' Fund

More than 4,500 people diagnosed with cancer at the MUHC endure rounds of chemotherapy and other treatments. These visits to the hospital are difficult. Treatments are often long and exhausting. That’s where the Comfort Kit comes in.

To give every newly-diagnosed MUHC cancer patient a Comfort Kit. ‘The Bell’ Fund is raising funds to make this a reality.

‘The Bell’ Fund also provides a soft blanket for every newly diagnosed child on Sarah’s Floor at the Montreal Children’s Hospital for their Pediatric Comfort Kit initiative.

The Plan

The Bell’ Fund has launched on World Cancer Day, February 4, 2016 with a goal of raising $1 million.

On June 7, 2012, Judy Martin was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. For the next 455 days, she fought for her life—and won.

During her chemotherapy treatments, Judy realized something: no one celebrated the end of their chemotherapy treatments. This didn’t feel right to her.

Judy heard that Toronto’s Princess Margaret’s Hospital celebrated with a bell. She loved the idea and brought it to Montreal.

Judy bought a ship’s bell for $35 and had it engraved in English and French. It reads: “Lucky. Grateful. Hopeful.” She signed it with her patient number to remain anonymous. The bell was installed in the chemotherapy ward of the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Judy was the first patient to ring the bell on September 4, 2013. In April 2015, the bell was moved to its new home at the Cedars Cancer Centre at the MUHC’s Glen site. To this day, patients are keeping the tradition alive.