How Her Fight With Cancer Inspired Thousands | The Lila Rose Podcast E128

Many would question the idea that a mother who passed away and left behind a husband and 4 children could be described “blessed.” Yet Jessica believed that she was “Blessed By Cancer” and has left a legacy as she chronicled her battle with cancer through her Instagram page, amassing tens of thousands of followers as she shared inspiring insights of faith throughout the last years of her life. Today I sit down with Jessica’s husband, Lamar Hanna, to discuss what compelled Jessica to publicly document her journey, how two successful business owners had faith conversions that prepared them to face cancer with God on their side, how Jessica chose between cancer treatments and protecting her baby in the womb, how her family is faring since her passing, how Lamar is carrying on her legacy, and much more.

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Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro Sequence
0:00:47 - Introduction
0:02:00 - Seven Weeks Coffee
0:03:14 - We Heart Nutrition
0:04:48 - Lamar Hanna Introduction
0:05:23 - How Lamar and Jessica Met
0:07:00 - Catholic in Name Only
0:08:00 - A Turning Point
0:09:54 - The Trial to Come
0:10:42 - Family Prayer Practices
0:12:40 - Jessica's Cancer Diagnosis
0:16:00 - Doctors Pushing Abortion
0:16:46 - Jessica's Pro-Life Treatment Plan
0:18:50 - Cancer Free After Tommy's Delivery
0:19:55 - Jessica Carrying Her Cross
0:22:18 - Helping the Children to Understand
0:23:25 - Jessica and Lamar's Preparation
0:26:51 - Learning to Trust God
0:28:45 - Pick Up Your Cross and Keep Going
0:29:47 - Hallow
0:30:35 - A Year of Peace
0:31:25 - The Cancer Returns
0:33:45 - The Family Prepares for Jessica's Death
0:37:25 - Blessed by Cancer
0:42:05 - Using Your Talents to Serve the Lord
0:44:55 - Onward
0:47:34 - Jessica's Faith Continues to Inspire
0:48:40 - Lamar's Journey After Jessica's Passing
0:55:18 - Preparing for a Holy Death
1:02:10 - The Cause for Canonization
1:03:38 - Where to Find Jessica's Work
1:05:29 - Outro
1:05:50 - Thank You EWTN

[georgefuentes]

I was so blessed and continue to be blessed by her example and journey through cancer.

She transformed my life and view of how beautiful and honorable death can be. I pray for often and ask for her prayers.

Please pray for my marriage, and that I have strength and wisdom to live according to God’s will for my life.

[gregorioyjennyguadiana]

Lamar is a great guy and a great friend! The Hanna family has help us so much! even when Jessica was going thru so much with her fight, she took the time to help a stranger ( my wife) in a time when all our hope was gone! Our family has been fighting cancer for 8 years and she always found time to help us with whatever we needed. God bless Jessica! and her family as we continue our fight and will always pray for her and her family!

[joannaabiallam]

Jessica has transformed hearts and helped us grow closer to Jesus! Praying she will become a Saint 🙏

[priscillabarr]

When Jessica passed I felt such an absence of spiritual inspiration. But Lamar you have picked up your cross and shared your journey with us, and I honestly feel you picked up where she left us off. Thank you for sharing your story and your wisdom, it is such an inspiration. I can completely see how God and Jessica are working thorough you and they must be so proud. You are definitely on your journey to sainthood as well

[sms]

I am getting chills just at the opening. She is a saint.

[loganllc]

Jessica had a very big impact on my faith journey as well. What a "normal" family that did amazing things in regards to their faith. Thank you Lamar for carrying her torch and for supporting her social media presence during such a private and emotional time.

[St.GiannaMollaPrayforus-uj]

Lamar, you are carrying on her legacy first and foremost with your beautiful kids. Thank you for continuing her important work. I'm so very thankful that St.Gianna brought Jessica and I together in our sisterhood. She was our "spiritual support sister" on earth and now, I know, her powerhouse offerings have the weight of heaven behind them. I cannot wait to roll up our sleeves and get to work spreading her story of trust, love and surrender to God's will. ONWARD my friend, ONWARD.

[jennyg.]

Jessica was like a sister to me, our kids call eachother cousins. She is so missed, but she without a doubt left a huge impact in our lives. Onward to sainthood, soul sister. ❤🙏🏻

[ralphweirich]

I can relate since I also lost my wife to cancer in 2023. We were totally unaware when it hit. We are definitely living on borrow time. Though I missed her terribly, I know that God wanted her home.

[DianaM-voyz]

Thank you so much for this beautiful witness to God! I pray for Jessica to intercede for my sister in law Linda who is also going through the suffering of breast cancer.
I'm sure Jessica is in heaven. Thank you for this amazing content filled with so many spiritual truths.

[JohnHenrysaysHi]

Prayed that Jessica will become a canonized saint. Thank you for sharing the legacy of such a beautiful and honorable wife, and God bless you.

[chanteusesanders]

She really moved me, as many do, we all fear death, but to welcome death is such a moving and inspiring thing. You know she truly surrendered her life to God. That is amazing. God bless to Lamar and their kids.

[JohnHenrysaysHi]

Thank you for having Lamar Hanna on and sharing Jessica's beautiful legacy! I read your description last night and prayed, and remembered to pray in my Rosary this morning for his family and yours. Happy Faith-over-Fear Family Friday, Lila! Thank you so much for your dedication with these podcasts and for continuing to be a beacon of light in this world helping to focus on so much good!

[modifiedbear]

A truly amazing woman. Thank you for continuing what she started. Onward.

[teresa]

Thank you for this encouraging interview. God bless you, Lamar. I discovered Jessica's Instagram page just a few months before her death. I do believe she will be canonized a saint here on earth one day. Lord rest her holy soul Jessica pray for us🙏❤️

[criticalthinkingisessentia]

My father died suddenly when I was only 7 years old, so I have so much compassion for Lamar and his young children 🙏🏼. It's a blessing that they were spiritually prepared as I believe this will prevent them from long-term trauma. I'm also glad he addressed that cancer itself is not a blessing, but of course, God can turn everything around for good. May God bless Lamar and his family 💗🙏🏼.

[miriamryan]

Jessica is such an amazing person. She was a light to me when she made her videos. Her stamina and joy and good advice will never be forgotten.

[EmilyW-]

RIP sister Jessica. I'm so sorry that you had to go through cancer.

[michellemailloux]

Praise God for this powerful witness! I pray for you and your family, Lamar, and for your beloved wife, Jessica's, soul very often.
"Any good coming from me is from God, and the rest is from me". One of my fav. Saint quotes!

[wliohvc]

Thank you both so much for this interview, firstly Jessica's story touched me deeply, and now testimony of her husband ❤ THANK YOU for being brave followers of Christ and example for us brothers and sisters in Christ