Ceremonial gong stolen from Waterloo Region’s cancer centre, man arrested

A gong used to mark milestones in cancer treatment has gone missing from a Kitchener cancer centre. CTV’s Colton Wiens reports.

A ceremonial gong is missing from a cancer centre in Kitchener, Ont. and now a man has been arrested in connection to the incident.

The gong is used by patients to mark major milestones in their treatment at the Waterloo Regional Health Network Cancer Centre.

The hospital said they were “deeply disheartened by the disappearance.”

“This gong is more than an object, it represents resilience, hope and the strength of patients along their cancer journeys,” Desa Hobbs, vice-president of the WRHN Cancer Centre, said in an email to CTV News. “While we are saddened that it was taken, we want to reassure our community that the WRHN Foundation is in the process of replacing it so patients can continue to celebrate these powerful moments. We remain committed to supporting our patients and ensuring these traditions endure. We appreciate the community’s understanding and support.”

WRPS make an arrest

On Monday night, Waterloo Regional Police said someone was arrested in connection to the theft.

“A 44-year-old male has been arrested and charged with Theft Under $5,000,” police said in a news release.

While an arrest was made, police said the gong has not been recovered and its whereabouts remain unknown.

“It’s a travesty. I can’t actually believe it. It’s such a symbolic moment for our cancer patients to ring the gong. They’ve successfully completed treatment. The staff are clapping. The volunteers, their family. It’s a very special moment. And to think that someone’s stole it. It’s just unbelievable,” said Doug Earle CEO, WRHN Foundation.

Earle said the hospital went through is going through security footage to assist police in the investigation.

“Hearing that gong is very emotional for me, because both my parents passed away with cancer. And to know that someone has gone through the treatment process and been successful, it really does give hope. It shows resilience. It shows just the celebration of that moment,” Earle said.

Ashley Howat, vice-president, strategic initiatives, WRHN Foundation, is one of the patients that rang the gong before. She celebrated completing her ovarian cancer treatment on September 13, 2021.

“My oncologist asked me if I would like to graduate. And I was so excited. So, it was a really important moment. And so, I think I’m not alone in the way that patients who have hit the gong have felt. So, it’s a shame that it’s gone,” Howat said.

Howat said she first heard a gong celebration when she was in London, and getting her turn became a major goal in her treatment.

“Somebody hit the gong and everybody leaned over and you know, we’re clapping and celebrating and you could see nurses and everything kind of celebrating as well,” Howat said. “So, it was something that I called my parents about and said, ‘oh my gosh, hey, I’m in this place. And it, it was, it was scary. It was, you know, it was upsetting. But that was a real sound that made me think, you know, I wanted to do that one day, too.’”

Those who work at the hospital said the gong means so much to so many people.

“It’s been very much a fabric, part of the fabric of the centre and helping celebrate that the patient’s successful journey of recovery,” Earle said.

The WRHN Foundation is working to replace the gong and will discuss whether a new location or better security is needed for it.

“We’re meeting with our patient advisory group, and we’ll be developing our plan as to what to do to improve patient experience, including the gong. So very, very shortly will be implementing the plan and looking for the community support to help us replace it,” Earle said.

Police said the theft happened April 25 just before 11 p.m.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact police.