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‘Big Ang’ Of ‘Mob Wives’ Still Alive And Holding On To Life Despite Death Rumors

By Lawrence Arboleda
Published on: 19:33 PST, Feb 17, 2016

Contrary to previous reports, Mob Wives star Big Ang is still alive, although her health condition took a turn for the worse Wednesday due to her year-long battle with brain and lung cancer, reported Mirror.

Angela Riola — better known as Big Ang in Mob Wives — is confined in a Manhattan hospital fighting for her life while her loved ones and relatives attend to her.

After reports of her death made the rounds on the web, her official Twitter account issued a statement to debunk the rumors.

“The news that has been reported is TOTALLY INACCURATE… No direct information has been given, and will not be given any time soon. Angela is still in the hospital surrounded by her loved ones, and is fighting. Thank you.”

Mob Wives creator Jenn Graziano also set the record straight by releasing a statement to Daily Mail.

“At this time that is a false rumor. I am here with the entire family and all her friends and they ask for your continued support and prayers. We will keep everyone updated.”

Big Ang was diagnosed with lung cancer in March last year. In December, after undergoing surgery, she learned from her doctor that the cancer had spread to her brain and lungs.

In February, Big Ang’s family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money needed to help relieve Raiola’s pain. The page reportedly raised over $45,000 in two weeks.

Below is the text for the GoFundMe page.

“On January 26th the doctor reviewed her CT scan and informed us that the treatment was not working. Well here we are at the emergency room waiting to see why her breathing is labored and the amount of pain she is having is by far more than she could handle. So I suggested cannabis oil as an alternative. This is why I am putting up this go fund me to try to help my sister to get this oil to help her at least be pain free.”

On Tuesday, Big Ang appeared on Dr. Oz Tuesday to talk about her health condition and the emotional struggles that go with it. During the interview, she revealed that she only has a 30 percent chance of surviving.

“One day I was perfectly fine, thinking I had strep throat, the next thing I know I have stage two throat cancer

“It’s shocking what happened. First I thought I was cancer- free and I was gonna have a big celebration, have a party, and then a month later I [had] stage four lung and brain cancer.

“Sometimes I think I’m going to be fine, and sometimes I don’t think I am.”

Raiola also revealed during the interview that she left her husband, Neil Murphy, saying that he “never stepped up to the plate.”

“I felt like he never stepped up to the plate, so I was done with it,” Angela said. “Now, it’s too late. I would rather be by myself. I would rather be alone.”

Angela, who was a heavy smoker for most of her life, told Dr. Oz during the interview that she quit smoking on the day she was diagnosed with cancer.

Raiola also expressed her gratitude to her children during the interview.

“If it wasn’t for them, how would I get through this?” she told Dr. Oz.

Angela “Big Ang” Raiola became a cast member of Mob Wives on account of her familial ties with the mob. Angela is the niece of Salvatore “Sally Dogs” Lombardi, a captain in the Genovese family. Thanks to her growing popularity in Mob Wives, she was given two spin-off shows on VH1 – Big Ang and Miami Monkey. Both shows were cancelled after one season.

[Photo by Diego Corredor/AP Images]

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