The bell ringing in cancer care is a symbolic tradition that was believed to have started in the 1990s at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where a naval officer who completed his treatment rang a brass bell, like one used on ships, to signal victory.
Ringing the bell signifies celebration of completion marking the end of a tough phase of treatment. Hope and encouragement, personal victory as well as community support.
Last year, a group of hardworking and dedicated community members rallied together to create a nonprofit in Southeast Texas – Go 4 The Bell – which is the only 501-c-3 pediatric cancer organization between New Orleans, Louisiana and Houston. The core of their work lies in the continuous passion and dedication by promoting the healing and well-being of children with their families, impacted by cancer.
Go 4 The Bell’s first-ever gala in 2024 was a massive success and the second annual gala is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. inside the Beaumont Civic Center and will include amazing silent and live auction items, golf cart raffle, as well as a headlining musical performance from country music star Tracy Byrd. Second year chairs Terri and Lee Potter also return to help coordinate the evening.
All 100% of the proceeds raised will stay withing the community to assist pediatric cancer patients and their families with their expenses.
Table sponsorships begin at $1,800 for a table of eight and can be purchased online at go4thebell.com. There will be dinner, cocktails, frozen margarita machine and an ice cream bar.
“We believe in keeping everything local, that is our thing,” said Roni Gillespie, cofounder of Go 4 The Bell with husband Kirk. “That’s our whole reason for doing this was to help our local families and our local kids.”
Gillespie explained there was a genuine need to take care of the expenses for families with children who are receiving treatment.
“Families always drastically understate what they need, and we really want to form relationships with them, to let them know that we are not here to judge,” she said. “What we have discovered is that the family may have a car that isn’t running, or a refrigerator is broke, and they have things they are unable to take care of because they concentrated so much on taking care of their child. I think that is one of the largest takeaways and one of the most incredible things that we have learned about these families since creating Go 4 The Bell.”
Building stronger partnerships with local schools will be an important milestone in year two, according to Gillespie.
“We want them to know that we are here for them,” said Gillespie. “Educators are sometimes the first people to see a child may be struggling – maybe their vision is impacted, or they don’t hear as well. We are here to help. Sometime the siblings are left out. I find myself waking up and praying for these children.”
Gillespie recounted two particular experiences that left a profound impact on her.
“Last Thanksgiving with my family, I received a text message from a mother letting us know how grateful they are for Go 4 The Bell,” she said. “She also wanted me to know that her child’s tumor had shrunk by 30% and those are the things that define my world for this nonprofit. Unfortunately, we lost the child in December. It was heart breaking.”
She also told the story of a 16-year-old hospice she visited at Christmas.
“He said, ‘Mrs. Roni, I’m going to ring the bell again. There is going to be a card in the mail letting you know that I rang the bell.’ Some three weeks later, he passed away. I will never forget those types of conversations. No matter how successful Go 4 The Bell is, you forever keep in your heart those interactions. That’s why we do what we do.”