Patient show appreciation with 'victory bell'

Roger Salois receives a round of applause from members of the hematology/oncology clinic staff and his wife Holly, second from left, after he rang the “Chemotherapy Victory Bell” he had donated to the clinic Nov. 7, 2012 at the 81st Medical Group, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. From left, staff members are medical technician Airman 1st Class Staci Simpson, Maj. (Dr.) Louis Varner, nurse Jeannie Edge, NCO-in-charge Staff Sgt. Kristopher Iovieno and Maj. (Dr.) Owen Roberts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Pivnick)

Patient shows appreciation with 'victory bell'

Published Nov. 21, 2012
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Roger Salois had undergone chemotherapy at the Keesler Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic for six weeks and wanted to show his appreciation to the staff.

Salois, a retired Navy Seabee senior chief petty officer, decided to donate a special "Chemotherapy Victory Bell" to the 81st Medical Operations Squadron team that he and other patients can ring upon completing their regimen. A smiling Salois did just that Nov. 7 as his wife Holly and the "Hem/Onc" staff looked on.

He explained, "I had seen the bells at other cancer-treatment hospitals I've been at. I asked the staff here if they had one. When they told me they didn't, I ordered two -- one for them and another for the radiation oncology clinic." He and Holly donated the bell Oct. 17.

Along with the bell, the Gulfport resident gave the staff a certificate that stated, "This victory bell is presented to (the department) for their relentless dedication in providing lifesaving therapies while simultaneously improving the quality of life of their patients. The victory bell is to be rung by the patients that have so bravely completed their prescribed treatments and in honor of overcoming the emotional rollercoaster of fighting to obtain a life free of cancer. The victory bell is to be rung three times in celebration upon completion of their final chemotherapy treatment."

In addition to the bell for the clinic, Salois gave each staff member a special bronze coin.