A ringing of the bell ceremony at Massachusetts General Hospital marks an important milestone for Wendy Jeshion. She made it through radiation treatments following a benign brain tumor.
The bell symbolizes a new lease on life.
"Just ringing the bell is such a release of emotion. You feel -- for once -- in control," Wendy said.
Jeshion's 13-year-old daughter Isabella Spar was so moved by the bell ceremony, she decided that for her Bat Mitzvah project, she would start the "Project Bell." Isabella makes jewelry -- including bracelets and chokers -- to raise money to buy more bells for other radiation centers.
"I just kind of knew I wanted to bring this joy to other places because they didn't have it," Isabella said.
Since October, Isabella's bracelets have raised $5,000 so far, which is enough to donate 12 bells. One of them came to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
"When the patient rings the bell, everyone at the treatment center and their friends and family join in to celebrate," Isabella wrote on the Project Bell website. "I saw that it was a very emotional and wonderful moment to those receiving treatment. All the patients talk about the date when they are going to ring the bell."
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On Thursday, 71-year-old Art Tostado rang the bell to celebrate completing radiation treatment for prostate cancer -- and Isabella was there for his big day.
"I think how wonderful in this day and age of new technology. Because of Isabella she's going to send people on with another bell forever," Art said.
Isabella's mom says she couldn't be more proud watching her daughter help others.
"There's no words to describe," Wendy said. "I'm bursting with emotion and tears."
So far, seven bells have been placed in cancer centers throughout the country. Isabella says she'll keep going until every cancer center that wants one has one.
To make a donation or buy jewelry to support Project Bell, click here.
Clarification: This story has been updated to describe the nature of the tumor.
