A grandmother who gained internet fame in 2016 for mistakenly inviting a stranger to Thanksgiving dinner has recently announced her breast cancer diagnosis.
Back in 2016, Wanda Dench sent an invitation to Jamal Hinton for Thanksgiving dinner, mistaking him for her grandson.
Upon realizing her error, Jamal informed her, to which Wanda replied: “That’s what grandmas do… feed everyone.”
Their heartwarming interaction was shared by Jamal on social media, leading to it becoming a cherished annual tradition between them.
Jamal, now 25, took to Twitter to share two photos of Wanda, including one with himself, along with screenshots of a message she wrote using iPhone’s ‘Notes’.
He captioned the post: “Here is a special message from Wanda.”
In her ‘Notes’, Wanda wrote: “Hi, my name is Wanda, you might know how we met 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 further explained: “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.”
Wanda shared her experience receiving care from the Breast Cancer Center in Arizona and how her diagnosis has shifted her perspective on life.
Continuing her statement, she said: “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 upcoming Thanksgiving will mark the ninth time Jamal and Wanda celebrate together.
Beyond the holiday, they have spent time together on other occasions, such as when Wanda got her first tattoo.
They documented the experience and shared it on Instagram, with Wanda explaining that her tattoo of three shooting stars is a tribute to her husband, mother, and father, whom she refers to as ‘my guardian angels’.