Victory bells are ringing at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada.
In addition to being a patient of CCCN and breast cancer survivor herself, Anne Baldwin recently donated “End of Treatment Victory Bells” to all five CCCN radiation centers, providing a powerful and symbolic moment for patients as they complete their treatment regimens.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 255,000 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Approximately 2,000 Nevadans will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, more than any other type of cancer.
Breast cancer runs in Baldwin’s family — her sister, Connie, passed away from the disease in 1999 and all of her first cousins have been diagnosed with breast cancer as well.
Baldwin was living in New Jersey when she was diagnosed on July 18, 2016. Prepared for the journey ahead based on her family’s prior experience, Baldwin had a specific facility in mind for where she would receive treatment. However, she was deemed a high-risk patient due to pulmonary issues and the facility would not go through with the initial surgery she sought. So, instead she began a six-month oral chemotherapy regimen to hopefully shrink her tumors.
In December 2016, Baldwin traveled to Las Vegas to visit her son. During her trip, she began having breathing issues and went to a local hospital. The doctor at the hospital advised Baldwin to see Dr. Heather Allen at CCCN.
Baldwin visited Allen and, in February 2017, had a mammogram indicating that there was no change in tumor size. This meant her treatment was not working. Allen had a difference of opinion in terms of the treatment she was receiving and instead recommended surgery and radiation. Allen referred Baldwin to Dr. Margaret Terhar, breast surgeon at Comprehensive, who felt Baldwin was strong enough for surgery, despite her pulmonary issues. On April 17, Baldwin had a successful surgery to remove her tumors. The last mile of Baldwin’s treatment included six and a half weeks of radiation shortly thereafter.
As Baldwin endured her own battle, her nephew was in a children’s hospital receiving treatment for childhood cancer. When he finished his treatment, he got to ring a victory bell. So inspired, she wanted to donate victory bells to the cancer center where she credits the success of her treatment. The five bells can be found at four of our fully-integrated cancer centers and one standalone radiation center. Any patient can ring a bell whether it is for radiation or chemotherapy. The bells were donated in loving memory of her sister.
Anne was among the first to ring a victory bell at Comprehensive as she completed her treatment in July.
Since, many more Comprehensive patients have rung a bell, often overwhelmed by emotions and shedding tears of joy as their family members, friends and Comprehensive staff watches on. The bells’ sound extends to the exam rooms, through the halls and even to some waiting areas, leaving anyone who hears them with a smile, knowing that another patient has rung the bell to signify the end of treatment.
Perhaps most importantly, the sound is a reminder that there is hope and victory at the end of a difficult journey.