Community Corner

Silver Cross Cancer Patients Donate Bell, Plaque to Celebrate End of Radiation

After patients complete their final radiation treatment, they are to ring the ship's bell three times in celebration.

By Tracy Simons, Silver Cross Hospital

After being diagnosed with colon cancer and undergoing 10 radiation treatments at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital, Arthur Grindler and his daughters Barbara Widelski—a three time cancer survivor—and Laura Luzan wanted to express their gratitude to his physician, Dr. Daniel Golden, and the entire care team that supported him. 

Arthur and Barbara donated an inspirational plaque and a shiny, brass ship’s bell to share a gift of hope and inspire cancer patients. 

“We needed to find a top-notch bell for the top-notch medical care that I received here at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital," said Arthur, a Homer Glen resident. "It’s big—weighs 21 pounds—and it really shines just like everyone here. Everyone has gone above and beyond with my care. They truly cared and made me feel very special. I’m so thankful for all of them.”

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 A sponsored article by Silver Cross Hospital.

After patients complete their final radiation treatment, they are to ring the ship’s bell three times in celebration. The plaque is adorned with an eagle in flight representing the courage and strength of the patients; and includes an inscription “Ring this bell, Three times well, Its toll to clearly say, My treatment's done, This course is run, And I am on my way!”

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“Oftentimes there are set-backs with cancer, so it is important to acknowledge a patient’s achievements," New Lenox resident Barbara Widelski said. "Ringing the bell to celebrate this special milestone is a step toward hope for physical and mental well-being, not only for patients but their loved ones who are also affected by the disease. My dad and I are so happy to pass forward the gift of hope, and help others celebrate life; especially to those in our community.”

“We are so appreciative to Arthur and his daughter, Barbara, for their bell and plaque donation that will give inspiration and hope to our patients, their families and our staff for many years to come,” Dr. Golden said.

“Even though we were only a part of Mr. Grindler's life for a short period of time, he will forever remain in our hearts. And we will think of him every time we hear the bell toll when another patient finishes their treatment. I would like to thank the Grindler family for their very generous gift,” said Kimberly DeNardo, lead radiation therapist for the cancer center.

About the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross

The University of Chicago Medicine and Silver Cross Hospital’s outpatient cancer treatment center located in the Carolyn J. Czerkies Pavilion at I-355 and Route 6 (1850 Silver Cross Blvd.) in New Lenox opened its doors on June 25, 2012. The 20,000-square-foot University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross brings University of Chicago academic specialists and their advanced and investigational therapies into a community-hospital setting. The facility provides state-of-the-art chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as access to hundreds of clinical trials. It also offers a TrueBeam new-generation linear accelerator system, which delivers precisely targeted radiation therapy to provide the best results. In addition, other services provided at the Comprehensive Cancer Center include cancer support services, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, infusion services, and preventative screenings. The University of Chicago Medicine maintains more active clinical trials for the treatment of cancer than any other program in Illinois. To schedule an appointment, call 1-855-UCM-1400. For more information about the new University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital, visit www.ucmcancer-sch.org.

 

About Silver Cross Hospital
Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 3,500 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a new 289-bed acute care hospital at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox and 8 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).  Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care.  These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.

 

About The University of Chicago Medicine

The University of Chicago Medicine is home to world-class medical, research and teaching facilities where innovation has been a hallmark for decades. University of Chicago physician-scientists performed the first organ transplant and the first bone marrow transplant in animal models, the first successful living-donor liver transplant, the first hormone therapy for cancer and the first successful application of cancer chemotherapy. Its researchers also discovered REM sleep and were the first to describe several of the stages of sleep. Twelve of the 87 Nobel Prize winners associated with the University of Chicago have received the award for discoveries related to biology or medicine.

The University of Chicago Medicine’s Biological Sciences Division and the Medical Center work together under the University of Chicago Medicine brand to teach and train future physicians, perform research and practice patient care. The Medical Center ranks among the best in the country in cancer treatment, digestive disorders, diabetes and endocrinology, according to U.S. News & World Report’s survey of the nation’s hospitals. The University of Chicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital also is among the nation’s leading children’s hospitals, particularly in neonatology, gastroenterology and pulmonology. And the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine was named one of the Top 10 medical schools in the United States in U.S. News’ 2012 graduate schools survey.


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