Help Angela Battle this aggressive form of cancer

Family and friends of Angela Sposito have created this fundraiser in the hope of returning the care and compassion that she has, in numerous ways, provided to us. Angela is a mother, a grandmother, a cherished friend and dear colleague and we’d like to share her story in the hope that you might be compelled to help her through a tough time.

First, a little bit about Angela. More than most, she sees the beauty in things – whether it is the majestic hill sides treaded by her Peruvian ancestors or in the simple insights depicted in an elementary school art project. The keen eye she has for seeing beauty and goodness is not limited to the domains of nature and art, she sees those things in people too. Angela approaches life with passion born of the goodness and beauty she sees in the people around her. Inspired by that innate passion, she has spent her lifetime taking care of those around her.

As a single mom, she was singularly devoted to raising a strong, confident daughter who understood the value of family and who knew that she always had a rock-solid supporter in her corner. A core value instilled in her from her close-knit devout family. No matter the circumstances, Angela always had time for a friend in need and God forgive you if you had something nasty to say about any of her tribe. Those fortunate enough to call Angela a friend have countless examples of how, through words and actions, she helped guide them through turbulent storms.

Regrettably, our selfless, caring, passionate Angela has had to bear some storms of her own. In 2014, she got the devastating news that she had a "golf ball sized" tumor inside of her heart. Following open heart surgery to remove it, she learned this very rare tumor was malignant and she would have to endure intense chemotherapy if she hoped to survive. She is a fighter, so even as the chemo took her beautiful long locks and drew on her emotional reserves, she soldiered on and even returned to work.

Return to the familiar was short-lived though, as large bureaucratic institutions rarely return the care and compassion that the Angela gave every day in her 14 years on the job. The toxicity of the work environment wasn’t conducive to her recovery and was a cross that was just too big to bear. (Please see this well written article about her story: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/cancer-survivor-claims-hr-exec-suggested-chemo-brain-article-1.3279839

Despite the fear and anxiety that comes with being unemployed, her two adoring grandbabies eased the hurt, provided a nice distraction while she pondered her next professional moves, and they allowed her to do what she does best – care for others. Eventually, Angela was testing out the job market and reinventing herself in her work, while anchoring everything in her commitments to family.

Then, on July 22, 2021, the unbelievable happened. Relaxing with her daughter on Saturday, Angela asked, "Do I look pale?" Then said, "Something's not right, call 911," just before collapsing in her daughter’s arms.

An MRI discovered a new mass inside her heart. She endured a second open heart surgery and has met the fear and anxiety most of us would feel with strength and calm. She is grateful for family and friends, especially Carrie, who has cared for her as she recovered from surgery. (Especially so, as the hospital cut short her recovery time there and didn’t provide the at-home nursing care they promised for over a week).

We still have not heard from pathology, and the future is uncertain again. But, we are gratified that the surgery was a success and we have faith that Angela will regain her full health and get to enjoy the people she loves for years to come.

What she needs now is the time to rest and recover and to have the peace of mind to make that recovery restorative. That means putting herself first for a while (which is not her first instinct) and not rushing back to work to avoid being a burden to others.

Angela wouldn’t ask for herself, but as her devoted daughter Krystal explains, “I have the utmost faith mom will get better, she's getting better every day, but we are reaching out to you in the hope that you might contribute to giving her the best chance of a healthy future for both body and mind. God bless you for listening to our story.”