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April 4, 2025 54 mins

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Join Jess Lin in Part 2 of her conversation with Denetra, as they discuss her son DeAndre's life journey from high school graduation to battling cancer. Denetra opens up about DeAndre's work and love life, his fight with osteosarcoma, and the impacts of his illness. She also shares her own experience with grief, healing, and how she channels her energy into projects like Smiley Connections LLC to support other parents who have lost children. Listen to Denetra's story and learn about her efforts to pass a bill for more bereavement leave in Georgia, as well as her dream of organizing a healing retreat for grieving parents.

Watch this podcast on Youtube: 

      https://youtu.be/mueMkRh8YPk

Find out more about Denetra’s work: 

      https://smileyconnectionsllc.org/

Donate to the On the Road to Healing Retreat:

      https://gofund.me/0899b5e4

Denetra's TikTok: smileyconnectionsllc

Denetra's Instagram: @smileyconnections


In loving memory of DeAndre Thompson

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