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Cancer survivors ring victory bell
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Katie Balale (left) posed with her daughter, Angela Ritz (middle) and her husband, John, moments after she was surprised with a plaque and a bell for surviving cancer July 31.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Angela Ritz (left) posed with her family Krista Ritz, Katie Balale, John Balale, Kathrin Ritz and Eric Ritz after she surprised her parents with a plaque and bell July 31.
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Katie Balale (left) smiled with her husband, John, after their daughter honored them for surviving cancer with a plaque and a bell at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman July 31.
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Cancer Community Liaison, Angela Ritz, was excited to present her parents with a plaque and a bell for surviving cancer July 31.
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Jeff Millhorn (left), Candace Goda, Katie Balale, John Balale, Jeanette Rotz and Becca Guerino posed after Angela Ritz surprised her parents for surviving cancer with a plaque and a bell at St Elizabeth Hospital July 31.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Boardman St. Elizabeth Community Cancer Liaison Angela Ritz knows all too well how difficult it can be to overcome cancer. After both of her parents, Katie and John Balale, were diagnosed with the disease, she decided to honor them and other survivors by donating a plaque and a bell to the hospital July 31 that patients could ring three times in celebration of completing their final radiation treatment.
Ritz, along with hospital staff, surprised both of her parents with a plaque and a bell with both of their names engraved to honor their survival.
“It’s just a blessing to have this opportunity just because of who they are. The two of them are such an example of what love is. This is a small token to give back to them,” Ritz said.
Although the plaque honored her parents, Ritz also hoped that it would serve as encouragement for other cancer patients as well.
“It’s for everybody. I want this bell to be an encouragement of hope for every patient that rings it during their final radiation,” Ritz said,
Katie, who was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in 2011, was moved by the ceremony.
“I called my mom my warrior. She showed me nothing but strength and confidence. This [cancer] was nothing but a stumbling block for her. She’s never stopped doing the things that she loves to do. She is very encouraging to me. I hope that if I’m ever diagnosed with cancer or any other illness. I’ll be able to overcome it. She’s an inspiration,” Ritz said.
Katie also expressed gratitude to her family and hospital staff for their support through such a grueling journey.
“It was no joke. It was kind of hard, but thank God I had a family and a good husband. I was honored for what my daughter did. It makes me feel like someone is caring for us,” Katie said.