Team Member Crafts Moffitt McKinley Hospital’s First Portable Victory Bell
When patients complete their cancer treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center, the ringing of the victory bell symbolizes more than the end of a medical journey, it’s a personal triumph, a celebration of resilience, healing and hope. At Moffitt McKinley Hospital, this powerful moment is now even more accessible thanks to the care and craftsmanship of Facilities team member Fatmir Drazhi.
A skilled carpenter and valued member of Moffitt’s Facilities team for nearly three years, Drazhi is the hands and heart behind the hospital’s very first portable victory bell. Unlike traditional stationary bells found in other parts of the hospital, this one is built to move. Designed for mobility and convenience, it ensures that no matter where a patient completes their treatment, they can still experience this powerful milestone.
For Drazhi, the bell represents far more than a work assignment. It’s a labor of love.
“My mother passed away from cancer 22 years ago,” he shared. “When I heard some patients at MMH didn’t have a bell to ring after finishing treatment, I knew I had to do something.”
Handcrafted With Love
What began as an idea quietly took shape after Drazhi saw a similar bell elsewhere in the hospital. Inspired by that moment and his personal connection to the cancer journey, Drazhi quietly set to work. Using only hand tools, wood, wheels and hardware, he spent two weeks assembling the bell structure during his offhours — carefully planning every detail, from the stability of the base to the smoothness of its mobility.
“I didn’t work on it full time,” he explained. “Just whenever I had free time. But I knew it had to be done right.”
The result is a beautifully constructed piece: two sleek wooden columns supporting a gleaming brass bell, all built with both form and function in mind. Though Drazhi describes himself as “better with hands than words,” his work speaks volumes. The bell now stands as a tangible symbol of healing and of the power of quiet dedication.
When the bell was unveiled at Moffitt McKinley Hospital, the reaction was instant and heartfelt.
“Everyone I passed in the hallway told me what a great job I did,” Drazhi said. “They were proud. It made me feel good to do something — even just a small thing — that helps someone else feel good.”
Drazhi’s family is just as proud. “My wife and daughters were so happy when I told them about it,” he said. “They know how much it means to me.”
Drazhi with Moffitt McKinley Hospital’s first portable victory bell.
Sense of Fulfillment
Though modest about his role, Drazhi understands the significance of what he’s given to the Moffitt community. The victory bell is more than a design project, it’s a meaningful part of a patient’s journey, a chance to physically mark the end of a long and emotional road.
Drazhi hasn’t witnessed a bell ringing in person just yet, but a video shared with him brought joy and a sense of fulfillment.
The bell lives on the first floor of Moffitt McKinley Hospital, always ready to be rolled out when the time comes to mark a patient’s courageous milestone. Its presence has already become a meaningful part of the discharge process, offering patients and families a shared moment of celebration and closure.
While there are no immediate plans to build more portable bells, Drazhi says he’s ready should the need arise. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” he said. “Whatever I can do to help patients feel good, that’s what matters.”
Drazhi’s story is an example of the impact one individual can have on the patient’s experience. In a hospital environment where healing often depends on teamwork, compassion and attention to detail, every contribution matters — whether it’s made at the bedside or behind the scenes.
