8 years ago, -Thanksgiving grandma-, a young man who met through a misinformation text message, died of cancer._1

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Wanda Dench, affectionately known as the “Thanksgiving Grandma,” shared an incredible story about how a text message mishap led to a heartwarming connection with Jamal Hinton, a young man she had never met before. This unexpected friendship began when Wanda mistakenly sent a Thanksgiving dinner invitation meant for her grandchildren to Jamal back in 2016, while he was still a high school student.

“I was inviting my six grandkids for Thanksgiving dinner, but I accidentally texted Jamal instead,” Wanda recalled. “He thought I was his grandmother who had changed her number, so he asked for a photo to confirm my identity. When I sent him my picture, he jokingly asked if he could still join for dinner, and I replied, ‘Of course you can! Grandmas always want to feed everyone.’”

Wanda’s warm and welcoming nature left a lasting impression on Jamal, prompting him to share their story on social media, which soon went viral. Since that fateful Thanksgiving, the pair has made it a tradition to celebrate together each year, consistently supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. Even after Wanda’s husband passed away due to COVID-19 complications in April 2020, Jamal remained a source of comfort and companionship for her.

However, this year presents a new challenge for Wanda, as she faces breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. On October 16, 2024, Jamal took to social media to share an update on Wanda’s health, explaining that she discovered the diagnosis after experiencing bronchitis symptoms, leading to a CT scan that revealed concerns in her chest. Despite her shock—given her family’s health history and her previously normal mammograms—Wanda is determined to continue her Thanksgiving tradition.

“I thought that when I turned 65 in 2022, that would be my last mammogram and I wouldn’t have to worry anymore, but I was wrong,” she said in her statement. “The lesson I’ve learned is that even as you get older, life goes on, and I won’t let my treatment get in the way of our Thanksgiving dinner with Jamal.”

Wanda’s resilience and warmth shine through, reminding us all of the power of connection and community during challenging times.