Bell of hope gifted to Baptist Health by Harrodsburg fireman

June 28, 2026 - 02:16

Captain Shane Naylor, a firefighter with the Harrodsburg Fire Department, was looking forward to welcoming a new baby with his family last summer. Instead, he received a life-altering diagnosis: colorectal cancer. The news turned their world upside down, shifting focus from nursery preparations to treatment plans and hospital visits.

Throughout his treatment at Baptist Health, Naylor found strength in his family, his fellow firefighters, and the medical staff who cared for him. As a way to give back and inspire others facing similar battles, he recently gifted a "Bell of Hope" to the hospital. The bell is now installed in the cancer treatment center, serving as a symbol of resilience and victory for patients completing their therapy.

Naylor said the idea came to him during his own rounds of chemotherapy. He wanted to create a tangible moment of celebration for patients who finish their treatment, a tradition common in many cancer centers. The bell allows individuals to ring it as a personal triumph, marking the end of a difficult chapter.

His fellow firefighters helped install the bell, and hospital staff gathered for a small ceremony. Naylor, now in recovery, hopes the bell will remind every patient that they are not alone in their fight. "It is about hope," he said. "When you hear that ring, you know someone made it through."