Alberta Health Services (AHS) has quietly ended a cherished tradition for young cancer patients finishing treatment at Edmonton's Stollery Children's Hospital, a move being criticized as insensitive and poorly communicated.
A Tradition Silenced
The practice, known as "ringing the bell" or the "victory bell," allowed patients to publicly mark the end of their successful cancer treatment by ringing a large, brass bell in the ward. The joyous moment was typically shared with family, hospital staff, and other patients, serving as a symbol of hope and triumph.
According to a report by columnist Lorne Gunter published on December 17, 2025, the change was communicated not through direct conversation with families, but via a letter left in hospital rooms. The letter from Nicole Spreen, nurse manager of the Stollery’s oncology unit, stated the hospital would no longer permit the communal bell-ringing. Instead, each patient will receive a personal bell to mark the milestone in a private setting.
Questionable Reasoning Behind the Decision
AHS provided two main justifications for the policy shift. The first was to allow patients to celebrate in a "setting that is most comfortable and personal to them." Critics argue this defeats the core purpose of the public ceremony, which is to provide communal recognition and inspire others still undergoing treatment.
The second reason cited was infection control. Spreen's letter indicated the move helps "reduce potential exposure to illness in vulnerable patients." However, this rationale has been questioned, as normal visiting hours and family gatherings in patient rooms—which are still permitted—would seemingly pose a similar, if not greater, risk of germ exposure than a brief, celebratory event.
Research Supports the Ceremony's Value
The decision appears to contradict research on the benefits of the tradition. A 2020 study by researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, which examined the "RTB" (Ring The Bell) tradition, found it provided significant positive benefits.
The researchers concluded that the ceremony offered as much benefit to other patients on the ward as it did to the person finishing treatment. It fostered a sense of community and was "symbolic of their hopes for returning to 'normal life' after cancer treatment." The study noted the experience was universally popular among those involved.
The abrupt and understated manner of the policy change has led to accusations that AHS knew the decision would be controversial. The move has been labeled as particularly callous toward the young patients and their families who rely on such moments of light during a difficult journey.
