Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, known for “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” bravely documented her 10-month battle with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma on the new show “Mama June: From Not to Hot.”
Despite being in hospice for over three weeks, she allowed the production team to share her journey. After her open-casket funeral, she’ll be cremated, and her ashes will be shared among family members. The family plans to create keepsakes like jewelry and crystals, and a memorial bench will honor her.
Cardwell’s fight was marked by rounds of chemotherapy until her terminal diagnosis and eventual passing on December 9, 2023.
Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell Wanted Her Cancer Battle To Be Featured On Mama June’s TV Show
According to a report, Cardwell’s courageous cancer battle was extensively documented. Insiders claim the late reality star was remarkably open about her health challenges and expressed a desire for her journey to be featured in an upcoming season of her mother’s show, “Mama June: From Not to Hot.”
The sources shared that Cardwell wanted to provide insight into her struggles, offering viewers a glimpse into the reality faced by cancer patients.
Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell Wanted An Open Casket To Allow Fans Say Goodbye
Cardwell, during her challenging battle with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma, allowed the production team of “Mama June: From Not to Hot” to document her journey until her final hours.
Despite being in hospice for over three weeks, the mom of two was open to sharing every aspect of her experience. However, out of respect for the family’s privacy, the production team decided not to film her passing or the subsequent funeral, even though Cardwell was comfortable with the idea.
As one of her final wishes, the 29-year-old requested an open-casket funeral for her fans, allowing them to attend and find closure. Which the family is honoring. Additionally, she had a special connection with TikToker Angela Butler, who will sing “Usher Me” by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers at the funeral, the same song Butler performed for Cardwell before her passing.
Her Body Will Be Cremated, And Ashes Shared Among Family Members
Cardwell’s family has decided to cremate her after her memorial services, and each family member will receive a portion of her ashes.
Sources revealed to the publication that discussions are underway about creating special jewelry or crystals incorporating Cardwell’s ashes. Additionally, the funeral home is also providing fingerprint keepsakes, with the family considering the idea of getting tattoos featuring her prints.
Lastly, the family plans to commemorate Cardwell with a memorial bench, providing a place for them to connect with her, although the specific location is yet to be determined.
Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell’s Battle With Adrenal Cancer
Before her demise, Cardwell gained fame through TLC’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” alongside her sister, Alana Thompson. The reality show documented Thompson’s beauty pageant journey, featuring Cardwell, her mother, Mama June Shannon, and sisters Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon and Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird.
Cardwell’s mother, Shannon, had first shared that the family initially noticed signs of Cardwell’s declining health in August 2022 when she began experiencing back pain.
However, despite a hospital visit where a cyst was removed, Cardwell’s health deteriorated. Within a few months, she faced hair loss, and the cancer had aggressively spread to her spleen, liver, and lungs before an official diagnosis of stage 4 adrenal carcinoma was obtained in January 2023.
During the subsequent months, Cardwell underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy in her battle against cancer. Shannon provided updates on her daughter’s progress, expressing optimism in May 2023 about the effectiveness of the treatment.
She shared on Instagram, writing, “Well going on to round 3 of chemo. yesterday it was pretty good day but did get a little and Cracker Barrel was good going down but not up, but over all it’s going good and chemo is working we come to find so things are looking good.”
However, by July 2023, Shannon revealed the devastating news that the cancer was deemed terminal. Despite this grim prognosis and the acknowledgment that remission might not be achievable, Cardwell continued to undergo chemotherapy. The reality matriarch also described Cardwell’s type of adrenal cancer as “very rare and very aggressive.”
On December 9, 2023, Cardwell succumbed to adrenal cancer, surrounded by her close family, which included her two daughters, Kaitlyn and Kylee, her longtime love and husband Eldridge Toney, mother, and three sisters.