Wanda Dench released her statement through Jamal Hinton’s social media
A grandma who went viral back in 2016 for accidentally inviting a guy for Thanksgiving dinner has revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
In 2016, Wanda Dench invited Jamal Hinton around to hers for Thanksgiving dinner – although, he wasn’t the original intended guest.
Wanda had initially sent the message to who she thought was her grandson.
However, when Jamal broke the truth to her, she texted: “That’s what grandmas do… feed everyone.”
Jamal posted their wholesome exchange to social media, eventually leading to it becoming an annual festival tradition between the two.
Taking to Twitter, the now 25-year-old posted two pictures of Wanda – one with him in it – along with screenshots of a statement that she wrote on iPhone’s ‘Notes’.
He captioned the post: “Here is a special message from Wanda.”
Her ‘Notes’ read: “Hi, my name is Wanda, you might know how we meant in 2016 when I accidentally sent him a text inviting him to Thanksgiving when I thought I sent it to my grandson.
“It went viral and it changed our life for the better and we still plan on getting together for Thanksgiving next month as we have every year.
“But what I want to let you know today is this month is Breast Cancer awareness month.”
She continued: “Earlier this year I came down with bronchitis and had a CT scan to check out my lungs. That’s when a mass in my breast was detected and they suggested I get a mammogram and that verified I had breast cancer.
“I am have been currently going through chemotherapy. Cancer does not run in my family and all the mammograms I had in the past were always negative.
“In 2022, | turned 65 years old and I thought I would have my last mammogram and not have to think about it again. But I was wrong.”
She went on to explain how she received care from the Breast Cancer Center in Arizona and how her diagnosis has helped her see the world in a different light.
Here is a special message from Wanda🌺 pic.twitter.com/KDTWktDPfN
— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) October 16, 2024
Her statement continued: “I’ve learned a lot of life’s lessons through it all, but what I want to stress most of all is just because you may be older, we still have a life to live.
“After watching the Golden Bachelor last year that gave me hope that I could still find love in my senior years. So continue getting your checkups, and continue to live YOUR life!
“‘She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.’ Proverbs 31:25.”
This year’s Thanksgiving dinner will be Jamal and Wanda’s ninth together.
However, the two have hung out with each other outside of the holiday – like Wanda getting her first tattoo.
They also filmed the event and shared it on Instagram. She revealed that her tattoo – 3 shooting stars – was in memory of her husband, mother and father, calling them ‘my guardian angels’.
