For Kingsley Omorefe Iyamu, art has always been a way to express emotions and experiences that can be difficult to put into words. After being diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma – a type of stomach cancer – in 2022, Kingsley received care at the Cancer Care Clinic at Hennick Humber Hospital (HHH). While he felt fear and uncertainty along the way, he also experienced courage and hope. Those experiences would ultimately give new meaning to one of his paintings.

Kingsley credits the care and compassion he received throughout his journey at Hennick Humber Hospital with helping him through one of the most challenging chapters of his life. He is especially grateful to Dr. Punam Rana, Medical Oncologist at HHH, and Dr. Lazar Klein, Medical Lead of Bariatric Surgery at HHH, as well as the Hospital’s nurses, social workers, caregivers, and support staff who supported him along the way.

As a multidisciplinary artist, Kingsley turned to his art to reflect on what he had experienced, creating a piece that represented something much bigger than his own cancer journey. He named the piece The Bell of Hope and Courage.

At its centre, the painting depicts two figures reaching upward together to ring the bell. They are not meant to represent any two specific people. They can be seen as two patients, two survivors, a patient and caregiver, an individual and their community, or even fear and hope. While every cancer journey is different, reaching the bell represents a shared hope for many patients.

“We came through different journeys, but we rang the same bell,” explains Kingsley.

The bell is not just an important milestone; it also symbolizes hope, courage, survival, gratitude, and the possibility of a new beginning. Kingsley hopes that by donating The Bell of Hope and Courage to Hennick Humber Hospital’s Cancer Care Clinic, the artwork will not only be a sign of encouragement for patients and families, but also help to recognize survivors and caregivers and honour the healthcare teams who support people throughout their cancer journeys.

While the painting carries a piece of Kingsley’s personal story, its meaning extends far beyond his own experience.

As Kingsley puts it, “It is our story.”