Wilmington Cancer Center Unveils Celebration Bell for Patient Milestones

The new bell allows cancer patients to mark progress at every step of their treatment journey.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:04pm

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A minimalist, neon-outlined illustration of a silver bell with a ribbon, glowing against a dark background and emphasizing the celebratory shape and energy of the new milestone-marking tradition at the cancer center.The new celebration bell at Novant Health's Zimmer Cancer Center allows patients to mark progress and find joy during their difficult treatment journeys.Wilmington Today

Novant Health's Zimmer Cancer Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, has installed a new celebration bell designed by local artist Dumay Gorham. The bell allows cancer patients to mark milestones and celebrate progress at every stage of their treatment, expanding on a previous tradition that only recognized the completion of chemotherapy infusions.

Why it matters

The new celebration bell provides an opportunity for more cancer patients to find joy and recognition during their difficult treatment journeys. It acknowledges that cancer care encompasses a wide range of therapies beyond just chemotherapy infusions, and the bell allows patients and their loved ones to celebrate small steps forward as well as major milestones.

The details

The silver-colored bell, created in partnership with the Cape Fear Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, was designed by local artist Dumay Gorham to represent all types of cancer journeys. Previously, the oncology bell was only rung when a patient completed their chemotherapy infusions, but the new bell expands this tradition to recognize the diverse range of cancer treatments patients may undergo.

  • The new celebration bell was installed at the Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Center in Wilmington, North Carolina in April 2026.

The players

Dumay Gorham

A local artist who specializes in sculptures for public spaces and private homes and gardens, and designed the ribbon and bell to represent every cancer journey. His other local works include the seahawk sculpture at UNCW and the sea serpent at the New Hanover County Arboretum.

Kristen Wissbaum

A nurse practitioner at Novant Health who said the bell expands on a tradition that previously only marked the end of chemotherapy infusions.

Stephen Gore

A patient diagnosed with throat cancer in 2024 who rang the bell outside the center where he received treatment.

Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Center

The cancer treatment facility in Wilmington, North Carolina that installed the new celebration bell.

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What they’re saying

“This is the celebration bell for the Zimmer Cancer Center.”

— Dumay Gorham, Artist

“Usually, the oncology bell was rung in the infusion suite when the chemotherapy infusions were completed. Now there are so many more types of treatments, and not all of them include infusions — so we want to encourage patients each step of their journey.”

— Kristen Wissbaum, Nurse Practitioner, Novant Health

“We want them to still recognize, to find that joy along the journey. It's very difficult for them, and it's also difficult for their family and their friends.”

— Kristen Wissbaum, Nurse Practitioner, Novant Health

“This is phenomenal. I actually owe my life to this place, so I'm very grateful and happy to see this out here.”

— Stephen Gore

The takeaway

The new celebration bell at the Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Center represents an important shift in cancer care, moving beyond just recognizing the end of chemotherapy to celebrating the progress and milestones of each patient's unique treatment journey. This inclusive approach helps bring more joy and recognition to cancer patients and their loved ones during an incredibly difficult time.