‘Mob Wives’ star Big Ang dead at 55 after battle with cancer
19 February 2016 Entertainment News
Fourth Estate Staff
Los Angeles, CA, United States (4E) – Angela “Big Ang” Raiola best known for her role as a star in “Mob Wives” has passed away on Thursday morning after losing her battle with cancer, she has died at the age of 55.
In a statement posted on Twitter, it reads: "It is with sad regret that we inform you that at 3:01 a.m. Angelia Raiola peacefully ended her battle with cancer, and was called home. She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and the closest friends. YOU, (her fans) were some of the most special people in the world, and she loved you immensely. Thank you for your love, prayers, and unconditional support of Angela right to the very end."
A statement was also released by Raiola’s rep, Jennifer Graziano , echoing the statement of the family. She added that her heart is broken for her family especially for the actress’ children and grandchildren. Graziano continued to say that Raiola’s presence brought sheer happiness to those who were around her and she is honored to have called her as a friend. Graziano ended her statement saying “Please respect her family's privacy at this time as they mourn the loss of such an amazing woman.”
Raiola has been battling stage 4 lung cancer. Her sister, Janine Detore , put up a GoFundMe page in February to help with the money needed for the star’s final treatment. Detore updated the fans via the page and said that back on January 26, the doctor told them that the treatment was not working for Raiola and that one of the tumors grew larger while the others did not show any changes.
Raiola recently appeared on “The Dr. Oz Show” this February 16 and she revealed that she only had a 30 percent chance of survival. She shared on the show, "It's shocking what happened. First I thought I was cancer-free. I was gonna have a big celebration…and then a month later I was stage 4." Her first hospitalization was in April 2015 when Raiola was diagnosed to have a large throat tumor. Doctors told her in October that she was able to beat the disease but the cancer returned in December and it has spread to her brain as well as her right lung.
According to other reports, Raiola’s estranged husband, Neil Murphy, was at her bedside during her final hours.
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