Cancer Survivors to Ring Phones Nationwide on June 7

Cancer survivor Larry Bridges wants everyone to pause at 3 p.m. on June 7 and let their phone ring. It's a simple gesture with profound meaning.

Bridges founded Another Shoulder, a McKeesport-based nonprofit, after beating stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2018. His latest initiative transforms the hospital tradition of ringing a bell after cancer treatment into something anyone can join from anywhere.

The bell-ringing tradition happens at treatment centers nationwide when patients finish chemotherapy, radiation, or reach cancer-free status. Bridges remembers his first time ringing that bell with just two nurses present, not fully understanding the weight of the moment.

Now his nonprofit has donated cancer survivor bells to more than 30 hospitals and medical facilities across West Virginia, California, Florida, and the Pittsburgh region. They even have a traveling bell available for people who want to celebrate at home.

Why This Inspires

Bridges explains the bell isn't about the person ringing it today. It's about the newly diagnosed patient hearing it tomorrow and thinking, "They made it through. I can too."

"There's no explaining it; it's just a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling of 'you've got a chance,'" Bridges said. That feeling of hope is what he wants to spread nationwide on June 7.

The phone-ringing campaign allows survivors who never got to ring a hospital bell to participate. It creates awareness for those who might not know someone battling cancer. And it reminds survivors themselves that they got through one of life's toughest challenges.

Beyond the bell initiative, Another Shoulder focuses on helping people during their greatest times of need. They're hosting an end-of-school block party for McKeesport students on Monday with free food, games, music, and fireworks.

On June 7 at 3 p.m., thousands of phones could ring in living rooms, offices, and parks across America, each one a quiet celebration of survival and hope for those still fighting.