Indianapolis, Jan. 20, 2017 - A “Chemo Bell” has now been placed in the Eskenazi Health Infusion Center for patients to ring in celebration of their last chemotherapy appointment. 

Adam Horner, son of Diane Horner, a thoracic surgery nurse practitioner at Eskenazi Health, spearheaded the project, which encompassed not only the purchase and installation of the bell but also the creation of 20 homemade blankets and 50 care packages for Infusion Center patients. Each care package contains a variety of items including note cards, toothbrush and toothpaste, tissue, mints, hand sanitizer, lip balm, floss, lotion and words of encouragement. 

The endeavor was part of Adam’s Eagle Scout Project, with fellow scouts from Troop 199 in Fishers, IN, assisting with the creation of the blankets. He partnered with Eskenazi Health EMBRACE, a program that provides wraparound services to cancer patients, for the facilitation of this six-month project. 

At the dedication ceremony, Doneshia Stephens, a Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center surgical coordinator, rang the bell for the first time in honor and celebration of all Eskenazi Health oncology patients. Stephens was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2016 and received chemotherapy in the Infusion Center. She is now in remission. 

Thank you to Adam and Troop 199 for this special project!