It is thought that the tradition of ringing the bell started with a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, Irve Le Moyne. He underwent radiation therapy for head and neck cancer and planned to follow the Navy tradition of ringing the bell to signify "when the job was done". For his last treatment he brought in a brass bell which he range several times before donating it. It is mounted with the inscription.

Ringing Out

Ring this bell
Three times well
Its toll to clearly say,
My treatment’s done
This course is run
And I am on my way!

- Irve Le Moyne

With this, in just about any place where cancer is treated you will find this tradition repeated for patients to mark the milestone they have achieved. With family, friends and oncology staff all participating the occasion.

But the one place where it is not observed is the John Hunter Hospital. You are welcome to perform your own private ceremony, but the staff miss out on being part of the moment for the patients that were in their care.

This Change petition is to show how much support there is for the tradition, and that all the people who help someone through their cancer journey should be celebrated in those times where things are happy.