‘Thanksgiving Grandma’ Who Went Viral for Inviting Stranger to Dinner Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Mar. 15, 2025

Jamal Hinton, center, and Wanda Dench, right, with Hinton’s girlfriend Mikaela, left, at their 2021 Thanksgiving celebration.Photo:Jamal Hinton/X.com

Jamal Hinton/X.com

Wanda Dench, the grandma who onceaccidentally invited a stranger to Thanksgivinginstead of her grandson, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.Jamal Hinton— the young man Dench accidentally invited to dinner in 2016, who has continued to celebrate the holiday with her every year since — shared the news of Dench’s diagnosis in apost on Xon Wednesday, Oct. 16.The post featured a statement from Dench herself, who revealed she was diagnosed earlier this year and has been undergoing chemotherapy.Dench, 67, said a mass was discovered in her breast when she underwent a CT scan of her lungs, and later confirmed through a mammogram. “Cancer does not run in my family and all the mammograms i had in the past were always negative,” Dench wrote.Wanda Dench, the grandma who accidentally texted Jamal Hinton about Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, sparking a years-long tradition.Jamal Hinton/X.comLuckily, Dench said friends and family “quickly came to my aid and have supported me through everything.” She has also learned some important life lessons from the experience.“Just because you may be older, we still have a lot of life to live,” wrote Dench, who shared the post during Breast Cancer Awareness month. She later added, “continue getting your check-ups, and continue to live YOUR life!”Despite her diagnosis, Dench said she and Hinton will still get together for Thanksgiving in November “as we have every year.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.It has been eight years sinceDench accidentally texted Hintonabout Thanksgiving dinner, sparking their viral tradition in the process.Hinton was just 17 when he and Dench connected for the first time. “It was so unexpected, but she was just so sweet about it,” he told PEOPLE in 2016. “It was a reminder that there are still some good people left in this world.”The next year,Hinton’s girlfriend joinedthe dinner. “Family is more than blood,” Dench said in 2017. “It’s the people you want to be with.“In 2018, Hinton declared their Thanksgiving dinner is “a tradition now.” They even met in 2020 just months afterDench’s husband Lonnie diedfromCOVID-19.Before their dinner in 2023, Dench and Hinton spoke withTodayto talk about their relationship. “He’s in my heart for life,” Dench said about Hinton, who added, “It’s amazing to have her as a friend and as my family.”Last year, Dench and Hinton haddinner with an Airbnb guestwho booked a stay at Dench’s home in Prescott, Arizona. “Thankful for the connections we made hosting our first @airbnb guest 🧡,” Hinton wrote on X.

Wanda Dench, the grandma who onceaccidentally invited a stranger to Thanksgivinginstead of her grandson, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Jamal Hinton— the young man Dench accidentally invited to dinner in 2016, who has continued to celebrate the holiday with her every year since — shared the news of Dench’s diagnosis in apost on Xon Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The post featured a statement from Dench herself, who revealed she was diagnosed earlier this year and has been undergoing chemotherapy.

Dench, 67, said a mass was discovered in her breast when she underwent a CT scan of her lungs, and later confirmed through a mammogram. “Cancer does not run in my family and all the mammograms i had in the past were always negative,” Dench wrote.

Wanda Dench, the grandma who accidentally texted Jamal Hinton about Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, sparking a years-long tradition.Jamal Hinton/X.com

Luckily, Dench said friends and family “quickly came to my aid and have supported me through everything.” She has also learned some important life lessons from the experience.

“Just because you may be older, we still have a lot of life to live,” wrote Dench, who shared the post during Breast Cancer Awareness month. She later added, “continue getting your check-ups, and continue to live YOUR life!”

Despite her diagnosis, Dench said she and Hinton will still get together for Thanksgiving in November “as we have every year.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

It has been eight years sinceDench accidentally texted Hintonabout Thanksgiving dinner, sparking their viral tradition in the process.

Hinton was just 17 when he and Dench connected for the first time. “It was so unexpected, but she was just so sweet about it,” he told PEOPLE in 2016. “It was a reminder that there are still some good people left in this world.”

The next year,Hinton’s girlfriend joinedthe dinner. “Family is more than blood,” Dench said in 2017. “It’s the people you want to be with.”

In 2018, Hinton declared their Thanksgiving dinner is “a tradition now.” They even met in 2020 just months afterDench’s husband Lonnie diedfromCOVID-19.

Before their dinner in 2023, Dench and Hinton spoke withTodayto talk about their relationship. “He’s in my heart for life,” Dench said about Hinton, who added, “It’s amazing to have her as a friend and as my family.”

Last year, Dench and Hinton haddinner with an Airbnb guestwho booked a stay at Dench’s home in Prescott, Arizona. “Thankful for the connections we made hosting our first @airbnb guest 🧡,” Hinton wrote on X.

source: people.com