Gong stolen from cancer care centre in Kitchener reinstalled

A ceremonial gong that was stolen from the Waterloo Regional Health Network’s Cancer Care Centre is back in place. CTV’s Krista Simpson reports.

An important piece of many people’s cancer journeys has been restored to its home in Kitchener.

A ceremonial gong was stolen from the Waterloo Regional Health Network Cancer Centre on King Street West in late April. Patients use the gong to mark major milestones in their treatment.

Police arrested a 44-year-old man on Monday and charged him with theft under $5,000. The gong was found on Tuesday in the Victoria Street North and Weber Street West area.

Jeff Kalan was the first person to bang the gong after it was reinstalled to its proper home.

“Thirty-three radiation treatments and I’m finally done,” he said.

It was a moment he wasn’t sure he was going to get to experience.

When the gong was stolen, the community came together to try to find a way to allow people to still experience that joy.

“Even yesterday, someone brought in a cymbal from their drum set just so patients wouldn’t miss that opportunity to celebrate their successful treatment,” Doug Earle, CEO of the Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation said.

Now, the hospital’s patient advisory committee is considering ways to make sure the gong stays where it belongs.

“We’re working on a new plan to improve the security and improve the use of the gong as part of that celebration of successful treatment,” Earle said.