For much of her life, Divine was always on the move. But in 2024, a stage 3 lung cancer diagnosis brought everything to a sudden halt.
What began as severe pain in her leg led to the discovery of a blood clot. During follow-up testing, doctors found something concerning in her lungs. After additional scans and appointments, Divine received the news that she had lung cancer.
In the months that followed, she underwent radiation treatment and began targeted therapy. Then came an unexpected setback. Shortly after starting treatment, Divine developed a high fever and struggled to breathe. Tests revealed that she was experiencing respiratory failure, and she spent two weeks in the intensive care unit.
It was during her recovery that she first learned about Wellspring.
While visiting the Odette Cancer Centre, Divine picked up a Wellspring brochure. Later, she visited the Wellspring website and began exploring the available programs.
“I registered for all the programs that I could,” she recalls with a laugh.
That decision marked the beginning of an important new chapter in her journey.
Before her diagnosis, Divine lived an active and independent life. She loved travelling, volunteering, and exploring Toronto. Whether she was volunteering at Doors Open Toronto, at the Toronto International Film Festival, or simply spending a day discovering a new neighbourhood café, she enjoyed being out in the world and connecting with people.
Cancer changed that.
“When I got sick, that kind of disappeared,” she says. “I felt like I was alone. I had nobody to talk to.”
Being confined mostly to home left her feeling isolated. Although she has always been comfortable doing things on her own, the loss of community and connection was difficult.
“I felt like a prisoner.”
Through Wellspring, Divine found something she had been missing.
“It helped me a lot because I no longer felt alone. I have a community that supported me. I have people to talk to, sharing the same journey as me, sharing the same issues and concerns, and helping each other face it.”
The first Wellspring program Divine joined was Cancer Exercise. The 12-week program helped her rebuild strength and confidence after treatment and hospitalization.
“It was tiring, but it was good,” she says. “It motivated me and helped me physically.”
From there, she embraced many other Wellspring offerings, including Art Therapy, Yoga, Chi Life, Healing Journey, creative writing, and breathing-focused programs.
The exercise and movement programs helped her better understand her body’s limits and capabilities, while breathing exercises and yoga supported her lung health.
“Taking those programs helped me understand my body better. The exercise raises your heart rate, and sometimes your body tells you, ‘Hey, it’s too much.’ You stop. You rest for a while. And then I use the breathing exercises and yoga to help me manage. It helps my lungs function better.”
Today, Divine continues with targeted therapy and regular scans. Her cancer journey is ongoing, but her outlook has changed.
“I don’t always have a good day. I have bad days too,” she says. “But I accepted that already. This is my life now. I do not believe healing means being positive all the time. It is important to make room for difficult feelings too, including anxiety, fear, and frustration, and to acknowledge them with compassion.”
At the same time, she encourages others to celebrate moments of joy along the way.
“I want people to celebrate small victories, express gratitude, and find joy in simple things.”
Most importantly, she refuses to let cancer define her.
“I’m not just a patient. I’m more than that.”
When asked what she would say to someone newly diagnosed with cancer, her answer comes without hesitation.
“I would definitely encourage them to join Wellspring. They’ll get community support. They’ll get emotional and mental support. There are volunteers who will encourage them, and there are various programs that will help them physically and emotionally.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to one day give back as a Wellspring volunteer herself. For now, she remains focused on moving forward.
“There’s no point looking back,” she says. “Just forward for me.”
And with the support of the Wellspring community beside her, that’s exactly what she’s doing.
