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A Superhero Moment: Gabriel Rings the Bell to Mark Milestone in Cancer Treatment

November 13, 2025
A Superhero Moment: Gabriel Rings the Bell to Mark Milestone in Cancer Treatment

Dressed as Deadpool, Gabriel Rodriguez struck a superhero pose and rang the bell at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, signaling that he has completed the intensive phase of his treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma and entered remission. He was surrounded by family, friends and the ChristianaCare care team who supported him every step of the way as he now continues with maintenance chemotherapy.

“Even though I’m cancer-free, I’m still fighting,” Gabriel said. “That’s why I wear this. To keep going — and to share love and hope with people who need it.”

A patient dressed as Deadpool smiles beside the cancer center's ceremonial bell, marking the completion of treatment.

After his diagnosis, Gabriel found a creative way to stay strong: he began dressing as his favorite comic book characters, including Deadpool and Spider-Man. On treatment days, he arrived in costume. He brought courage, humor and a spark of superhero energy to every visit.

A patient in a full Deadpool costume strikes a dramatic pose in the hallway as staff look on with smiles at the cancer center.

Like the heroes who inspired him, Gabriel faced his illness with sharp wit, resilience and perfectly timed punchlines. Masks aren’t required for heroism, but Gabriel proved they have their uses.

A patient in a Deadpool costume shares a warm embrace with a fellow cancer center visitor during the bell-ringing celebration.

His girlfriend, Alicia, was with him throughout the yearlong journey.

A staff member poses with a patient in a Deadpool costume during the cancer center bell-ringing celebration.

“There’s no right way to handle something like this. You just take it one day at a time,” she said. “Some days you’re strong, some days you’re not. That’s all okay. But if you have a partner going through this, you need a community. You cannot do it alone.”

A patient in a Deadpool costume poses with four care team members at the cancer center bell-ringing celebration.

She also shared her appreciation for the care team that walked beside them: “Thank you to ChristianaCare and the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. They literally know him. We come in and we’re family — everyone says hello. We’ve been here for a year now, and they’ve made this awful but somehow wonderful experience something we could get through together.”

A patient in a Deadpool costume raises a fist in triumph while ringing the cancer center's victory bell.

Congratulations to Gabriel on this milestone. His story is a reminder of how people find their footing in difficult times, and how much it matters to have others standing with you.

A patient in a Deadpool costume pauses in a reflective moment before the cancer center's victory bell.

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