Another Shoulder launches new way to recognize cancer survivors
Founder Larry Bridges urges everyone to let their phones ring at 3 p.m. on June 7.
Ahead of National Cancer Survivor Day on June 7, the McKeesport-based nonprofit Another Shoulder invites survivors and their loved ones to participate in a simple gesture to honor their fight against cancer.
Larry Bridges, the founder of Another Shoulder and a cancer survivor, is starting a campaign where cancer survivors, family members, and anyone affected by cancer can let their phone or other device ring at 3 p.m. on National Cancer Survivor Day.
Bridges explained that while this may seem like a minor action, it has the potential to create a ripple effect worldwide.
Traditionally, cancer patients ring a bell at their hospital or treatment center once they are declared cancer- free, have finished their treatment or have reached the next step of their recovery.
Another Shoulder has worked to donate bells for cancer patients in more than 30 hospitals and medical facilities.
The cancer survivor tradition to ring a bell inspired Bridges’ newest initiative. He hopes even cancer survivors themselves can set their phones to ring on June 7 as a reminder that they got through it and to bring awareness to others.
“My main goal this year is to really build up the idea of making people aware of cancer survivors,” Bridges said. “You can sit in your living room and just look at your phone at 3 o’clock and know people are ringing that bell or that phone’s going off because they got cured. So that’s my biggest goal. That’s what I’m trying to push.”
Bridges, who had stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma, created Another Shoulder after finding out he was cancer free to give back to his community.
“In 2017, 2018, I had cancer, and I was able to ring the cancer survivor bell after I got my radiation, and that was such a beautiful event,” he said. “I only had a couple of nurses there, no family members, but I really wasn’t aware of what was going on. And then the next time I rang it, I had chemo, and I had more people. Then I found out that the hospitals didn’t supply them (bells), people donate them.”
Bridges has placed cancer survivor bells at hospitals in West Virginia, California, Florida and several in the Pittsburgh region. He also has a traveling bell for anyone who might request it at a different location, like their own home.
Bridges said the feeling of getting to ring the cancer survivor bell can end up being unique for each person who goes through the illness.
“There’s no explaining it; it’s just a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling of ‘you’ve got a chance,’ it’s a feeling of ‘I’m letting you know you can survive,’” he said. “I’m not ringing this bell for me, I’m ringing it for the next guy that says ‘I got cancer.’ I ain’t ringing it for me. I’m ringing it for you who got it, and you can say, ‘He got it, he’s doing well, I can get well.’
“That’s what the bell is all about, not the person ringing it, the next person ringing, and that’s the part that I’m trying to get people to understand.”
Typically, Bridges hosts a yearly Cancer Survivor Day event, but he’s taking a break this year and is hoping to host a larger event in the future.
Other events
Bridges emphasized that the main mission for Another Shoulder is to help people during their greatest times of need. Their cancer survivor bell initiative is just one of their many projects.
From 6 p.m. to dusk Monday, Another Shoulder will be hosting an end-ofschool block party for McKeesport Area school students. It will take place on the 600 block of Ridge Street in McKeesport.
The block party will include free food, refreshments, games, music and fireworks. They’re looking for any volunteers who may want to help with the event. For anyone interested in volunteering or donating toward the block party, Bridges can be contacted by calling 412-758-4852 or emailing anothershoulderllc@ gmail.com.
Bridges will also respond to any cancer survivor bell questions or requests.
Bridges noted that they will be present at upcoming Renzie Market dates. The markets will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Andrew Jakomas Blue Top Pavilion on June 18, July 16, Aug. 27, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15.
