Its tinkling, melodic sound rings with renewed hope for many cancer patients around the world. This is the sound emanating from the bell that is often rung by patients to mark the end of their cancer treatments – and the sound of a new bell at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Sun City West recently donated by community leader Patricia Lewis Finnell, Chair of the Sun Health Foundation Board of Directors.

This isn’t just any bell. Finnell recently gifted a beautiful Soleri Bell.

“It is my honor to share with patients this bell that is both art and inspiration,” said Finnell during a small presentation ceremony including staff from Banner MD Anderson team and representatives from Sun Health. “After receiving this bell as a gift and enjoying it for many years, I felt compelled to pass the gift along to others so they can feel its inspiration in a deeply meaningful way.”

The Soleri bell dates back more than 50 years to the world-renowned architect innovator Paolo Soleri. Soleri began creating Cause Bells – ceramic and bronze – to represent causes and concerns that were important to him. This bell was designed by the Soleri-inspired artisans at Arcosanti in the high desert north of the Valley.

“Patricia’s gift is a true expression of the joy of giving and the inspiration of philanthropy,” says Gina W. Ore, Chief Philanthropy Officer of Sun Health Foundation. “Philanthropy strengthens cancer resources and fosters new hope for patients.”

For those of you who do not know the story, when a patient completes their radiation treatment at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center they gather with their family, friends and care givers at the bell. There is a poem that the patient reads either silently or out loud and then rings the bell three times. The Poem goes:

Ringing Out!
Ring this bell three times well.

This poem was written by Irve Chuck LeMoyne, a member of the Navy’s Seal Team One, in the 1960s, who donated and began the tradition at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

The bell is one expression of support for cancer patients. Charitable contributions to fund cutting-edge advancements in technology and treatments is another way, through the Sun Health Foundation’s Generosity for Generations Campaign. This includes exciting, new robotic technology to aid in the early detection and treatment of lung cancer. Innovations in cancer care simply are not possible without the community’s support.

For more information about the Generosity for Generations Campaign, visit SunHealthFoundation.org/generosity or call 623-471-8500.

Editor’s note: Linda Tyler is Director, Marketing & Communications, for Sun Health.