Jessica Hanna is no more. She’s the resilient pro-life advocate who refused to abort her baby after being diagnosed with late-stage cancer three years ago and, instead, braved her sickness and treatment to give birth to a healthy and happy son.
She passed away on April 6 at the age of 41, leaving behind her faithful husband, Lamar Hanna, and four beloved children.
Talking to The Epoch Times, Mr. Hanna shared that they tried their best to stay resolute in their faith throughout his late wife’s battle with cancer.
“Both Jessica and I were confident that no matter what happened, our Lord’s will, ultimately, is perfect,” he said. “From an earthly perspective, many things happen in this life and, naturally, don’t make sense to us. From an eternal perspective, however, God’s will, both active and permissive, is perfect—and we must always trust in His will.
‘Abortion Is Another Trauma—It’s Not Healing’
Mrs. Hanna’s struggle with cancer goes back to 2020 when she received the diagnosis just weeks after discovering she was pregnant with her fourth child, Thomas. The tests confirmed a 13-centimeter (5.1-inch) cancerous breast tumor, necessitating surgery, so the couple—both pharmacists—traveled to Michigan from their home in Canada for the operation.The devout Catholic mom faced pressure from the medics to have an abortion, but she firmly refused to terminate her pregnancy.
The tumor was successfully removed in January 2021, but her pathology reports revealed the cancer had spread, affecting 43 lymph nodes—the diagnosis was likely terminal. Mrs. Hanna opted for chemotherapy, and after four rounds, she gave birth to a healthy child; Thomas was born on May 30, 2021.
Mercifully, post-natal scans showed that Mrs. Hanna’s cancer had cleared, and the loving mom enjoyed several months of peaceful, pain-free time with her family. However, in 2022, the cancer returned; this time more aggressively, at stage four.
Surrendering to God’s Will
Mrs. Hanna and her husband were born and raised in Ontario, Canada. Mrs. Hanna is of Lebanese heritage while her husband is Chaldean Iraqi. They met while studying pharmacy at Detroit’s Wayne State University, going on to marry in 2011 and enjoy careers as pharmacists.The couple—proud parents to Christopher, Mary, Joseph, and Thomas—all under the age of 9—had always wanted a large family. Dedicated to raising their children in a close-knit community and instilling traditional values, they attributed their ability to juggle multiple businesses and a happy home life to the grace of God.
When Mrs. Hanna set out on her cancer journey, she again leaned on her faith and viewed it as an opportunity. She took to social media to share the message of eternal hope and God’s grace. Touching many thousands of people with her faith and inspiring outlook, the struggling mom regularly shared her convictions on social media, advising others who might be suffering like her.
A traditional husband who always supported his wife through thick and thin, Mr. Hanna shared that it was “gut-wrenching” to see his ailing wife suffering in pain.
“Anybody who has been a caregiver can relate to the feeling of helplessness as you watch your loved one suffer. It was gut-wrenching at times and required supernatural graces for me to keep going. ... It was especially difficult to watch my wife suffer at the hospital and then put a smile on my face for our children when I saw them at home,” he said, adding that it’s his faith in God that is still leading him through the difficult path that lies ahead.
“This is my new cross for the foreseeable future. It is a cross of grief, sorrow, uncertainty, and loneliness. It is a difficult cross, but God is calling me to pick up this cross and follow Him. He will give me all of the graces I need to carry it, and I fully embrace what lies ahead.”
Meet 2-year-old Thomas playing with his mom – watch the video.
Mr. Hanna, who now manages his late wife’s Instagram account, shared that her cancer was “just too aggressive,” but she “suffered joyfully and without fear in her last days.”“Our children are extremely strong and resilient, very much like their mother,” he told the newspaper. “Thomas is a bit young to grasp most of what has happened, however, the older [kids] fully understand that mommy is with Jesus and regularly pray for her intercession.”
The grieving husband and father believes that though suffering is inevitable in life, what’s key is how we face these hardships and pains.
“Everyone will suffer to some degree at some point in their lives, it doesn’t matter, Christian or pagan, young or old,” Mr. Hanna said. “Jessica smartly did not waste her suffering and instead turned it into sacrifice. Suffering can be used as a means to detach ourselves from this world, detach us from human consolation because His consolation is far greater.”
The family said they are “incredibly grateful” for the outpouring of love and support at this difficult time.
