Husband Uses Cancer Bell To Honor Late Wife
It was love at first sight for Tom Fletcher and his wife, Cristina. “We actually met when her car was stuck in traffic,” Fletcher said. “I was standing in front of a restaurant next to her car and I waved and asked her if she wanted to join me.”
In 2023, Cristina was diagnosed with colon cancer. After having her initial surgery in Hollywood, Florida, the rest of her treatments were done at Moffitt Cancer Center. Tom was by her side every step of the way. “I always made a pinky promise to her that I would always love and care for her,” Fletcher said.
Cristina’s goal was to ring the bell one day. “When we first got to Moffitt, someone rang the bell while we were waiting for her chemo. The doctor and nurse explained to her that although not everyone will get the chance to ring the bell, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to live a long life with the right treatment plan.”
Cristina passed away in August 2024 at the age of 50. At her funeral, Tom brought his own bell to ring to honor his late wife. Spontaneously, everyone in attendance rang the bell that day. “She wasn’t able to ring the bell for herself, but everyone whose lives she touched rang it for her,” Tom said.
He took the bell, engraved with Cristina’s favorite flowers, to the 2024 Miles for Moffitt event. He wanted participants and attendees to be able to ring the bell for their own loved ones. “At that event, we all have something in common that none of us wanted,” Tom said. “We all show our love and support for each other.”
This year, Miles for Moffitt raised more than $1.2 million and counting. Each year, the funds help Moffitt researchers launch innovative projects, leading to advancements and discoveries in cancer care. Fundraising will continue through Jan. 31.
