When a Veteran triumphs over cancer, the moment is more than personal victory—it becomes a beacon of hope for others walking a similar path. At the Lubbock VA Clinic in Texas, that moment rang out loud and clear on July 8, 2025, when Navy Veteran Matthew Roach became the first to ring the facility’s new celebration bell. The bell, which Roach himself donated, now stands as a symbol of courage and resilience for fellow Veterans undergoing cancer treatment.

The story of Roach’s recovery is both extraordinary and deeply moving. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, he initially underwent robotic surgery followed by 38 consecutive days of radiation. By 2020, he was declared cancer-free. But in a devastating twist, Roach learned in July 2024 that the cancer had returned—this time in an aggressive form, spreading to his colon, lymph nodes, tailbone, and shoulder blade. It was classified as terminal stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, a diagnosis that would shake anyone to their core.

“I thought this is it, I was going to die,” Roach shared. “I started preparing for it—writing a will, getting my affairs in order. It felt like the worst kind of déjà vu.”

Despite the grim prognosis, Roach’s care team at the Lubbock VA Clinic quickly launched an aggressive treatment plan. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy became the medical foundation of his recovery, while Roach also pursued holistic health strategies on his own. The results were nothing short of remarkable. Within months, his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a key indicator of prostate cancer activity, dropped from nearly 6.0 to an undetectable 0.008.

I found this detail striking—not only because of the medical turnaround, which is rare at this stage of cancer, but also because of the emotional support Roach described receiving from his care team. “There were good days and there were a lot of really bad days,” he said. “But throughout the journey, my care team made me feel like I wasn’t just a patient with cancer. They became more like friends than providers to me.”

Leslie Vaughn, a chemotherapy infusion registered nurse at the clinic, echoed this sentiment. “Not every story like this turns into a good one, which is why Matt’s story means so much,” she said. “It’s rare to see this kind of turnaround with stage 4 metastatic cancer. He’s a fighter, and his spirit is contagious.”

The celebration bell now hangs in the chemotherapy treatment waiting room at the Lubbock VA Clinic. Roach’s hope is that it becomes more than a fixture—it becomes a milestone marker for others. “Ringing the bell is a symbol of survival,” he said. “It’s a statement that says, ‘you made it through’. I hope this bell will give other Veterans something to look forward to—a real sense of achievement.”

The bell, which Roach donated months before his own recovery was confirmed, was a proactive gesture of solidarity. It reflects a mindset that many Veterans share: even in the midst of personal hardship, there is a desire to uplift others. For Roach, the bell represents more than the end of treatment. “It’s not just a piece of metal,” he said. “It’s a message—that hope is alive here.”

Stories like Roach’s are powerful reminders of the importance of comprehensive cancer care for Veterans. They also highlight the role of emotional and psychological support in healing. The Lubbock VA Clinic not only provided the medical treatment Roach needed but also cultivated a space where he felt seen, supported, and encouraged. For those searching for information on cancer survivor stories, Veteran cancer care, or prostate cancer treatment at VA facilities, Roach’s journey offers both insight and inspiration.

As the first to ring the bell he donated, Roach has set a precedent for future patients. Each ring will now echo with the strength of his story, reminding others that even in the face of terminal illness, recovery is possible. His experience underscores the value of perseverance, the impact of compassionate care, and the enduring spirit of those who serve.

Read more at news.va.gov