'Mob Wives' Star Big Ang Hospitalized for Stage 4 Lung & Brain Cancer; Raises $35K on GoFundMe

Mob Wives star Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola is back in the hospital after being diagnosed with stage four lung and brain cancer. On Tuesday (Feb. 2), Raiola's sister, Janine Detore, revealed the VH1 reality star's chemotherapy was not working. After creating a GoFundMe account in an attempt to seek funding for alternative cures, the campaign raised over $35,000 in just two days.

Despite undergoing treatment in early January, Raiola was later informed that her condition was not improving. To make matters worse, one of her tumors increased in size significantly, while her other tumor remained the same.

Detore believed cannabis oil would serve as an alternative, which is why she started the GoFundMe account in the first place. Her initial goal was $25,000, but supporters exceeded her expectations. If it didn't help cure her cancer, Detore was hopeful it would at least shield her from the physical pain.

"My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 brain and lung cancer," Detore wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Chemotherapy was started January 5th. On January 26th the doctor reviewed her CT scan and informed us that the treatment was not working, and in fact one tumor grew larger and the other tumors had no change."

The 55-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with throat cancer in March 2015, when doctors came across a lemon-size tumor. She underwent surgery in June. Raiola's journey has been documented on the popular reality show, even celebrating beating throat cancer with her cast-mates in a special episode.

Raiola admitted to being an avid smoker for four decades. She caught throat cancer at stage two and opted to have multiple surgeries instead of undergoing treatment. According to Detore, her sister is no longer able to physically work due to her new diagnosis.

"We were advised that she would start immunotherapy the following week," Detore wrote. "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."

Mob Wives is currently in their sixth season. Viewers can catch Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola and the rest of the ladies on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on VH1.