A cancer patient has given new meaning to the end of treatment bell with a poem tailored to patients who will never get to ring the bell in the traditional way.

Jane Brady, 54, is receiving palliative treatment for breast cancer at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s CANTreat treatment clinic based at Halton General Hospital in Runcorn.

She wrote a poem about the journey of having cancer to be more inclusive for patients who would never finish treatment.

Jane said: “Like me, many patients want to ring the bell but may never come to the end of their treatment.

“It can be really upsetting for patients to hear others ringing the bell knowing their turn will never come.”

Jane, from Frodsham, has continued to receive treatment every three weeks throughout the pandemic and has kept herself busy making and selling cards to raise money for breast cancer charities.

Jane’s words of encouragement in the poem include: “Already you have come so far; you’re stronger than you think you are… With love and strength to you we say this bell will help you on your way.”

The poem is displayed next to the bell at all The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s chemotherapy clinics, including the Halton clinic and the new hospital in Liverpool city centre. Patients are encouraged to read it aloud and ring the bell at any point in their treatment, whether to boost courage before chemotherapy or after a hard week of feeling unwell.

Laura Selby, Deputy Ward Manager at CANtreat, said: “It’s about giving our patients that choice; dealing with cancer is a very personal journey for each of our patients and we want to make sure that’s reflected in the support we offer them.

“This bell gives patients hope, but we hope this enhanced version of the bell will mean lots of other things to our patients as well.”

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is one of the UK’s leading cancer centres, treating more than 30,000 patients each year.

For more information visit: www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk or @CCCNHS on social media.