Back in 2016, Wanda Dench became famous after mistakenly sending a Thanksgiving dinner invitation to Jamal Hinton, a teen she had never met. She thought she was texting her grandson but invited Hinton anyway when he asked if he could still join. Their story of kindness and friendship went viral on social media, Dench became known as “Thanksgiving Grandma,” and they’ve celebrated Thanksgiving together every year since.
Over the years, Dench and Hinton have been there for each other, including after the death of Dench’s husband, Lonnie, from COVID in 2020, but this year, she’s facing a new challenge. In a statement shared by Hinton on social media, Dench explains how a CT scan for bronchitis led to the unexpected discovery of a mass in her breast, resulting in a breast cancer diagnosis. Despite the shock, she says she’s grateful for the support she’s received during her treatment and encourages others to get regular checkups and to live life fully, no matter their age.
The good news is that Dench has no plans to let the cancer diagnosis stop her from hosting Thanksgiving, where Hinton will attend again, keeping their annual tradition alive. This will be their ninth Thanksgiving together, continuing a tradition that began with an accidental text, has grown into a cherished friendship, and is a lesson for everyone on the value of being kind.
Source: CNN
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