Why:
Jackie's Angels started 2 years after we lost such a dominate force in our lives. So many of us who knew her were forced to look at life differently. While watching Jackie go through her cancer journey it revealed the significant lack of research treatment options for Metastatic Breast Cancer. It is incredibly hard to watch someone you love fight through cancer. Our goal is to alleviate some of that burden by contributing to the availability of better options.
Our Goal:
Our foundation is dedicated to promoting awareness and advancing research for Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). A minimal portion of the funds raised for breast cancer research is currently allocated to MBC, we aim to address the imbalance by MBC being our primary focus. Our mission is to raise awareness about this disease while simultaneously supporting research efforts through funding provided to METAvivor.
METAvivor is the sole organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to funding metastatic breast cancer (MBC) research through a rigorous scientific-review process The organization provides grants to individuals holding clinical or other doctoral degrees who are actively involved in MBC research whose proposals demonstrate to benefit stage 4 breast cancer community. Their mission is to transform MBC from a terminal diagnosis into a chronic, manageable condition with an acceptable quality of life.
The Founder:
My name is Amanda G. I lost my best friend after 20 years of friendship. We became inseparable during our freshman year of high school, always believing we would grow old together. She was 34 when she passed away, leaving behind a 13-year-old and almost 2-year-old, along with a new marriage of just 3 years. I am deeply thankful for the time I had with Jackie and for the life experiences we shared. However, I feel robbed by cancer of the years and memories we could have created together. Jackie had a profound impact my life, and accepting that she will no longer be part of my future remains difficult. Continuing her legacy and generous spirit inspired me to establish this foundation to honor her memory.
Jackie's daughter, Aubrey, assisted me in creating the name of the foundation. Her cousin, Ressie, contributed by providing content about Jackie for the website. Additionally, I have received significant support from friends and family in managing the fundraisers and social media.
About Jackie:
A West Chester resident, Jacqueline Angelucci, 34, was born on September 22, 1986.
Jackie loved her family more than anything else. The beautiful people in her life included her wonderfully funny and compassionate husband, Larry, Jackie’s “mini-me,” daughter Aubrey, and her sweet baby boy, Bryce, born on her birthday. During the pandemic, Jackie’s loving family lived every moment for each other, generating joy and creating new memories.
Just 6 weeks after Bryce was born, Jackie discovered a lump in her breast. After doctors’ visits and tests, they were given the news that no one ever wants to hear. Not only was the lump cancerous, but it was an aggressive form that quickly spread to her lymph nodes. She was determined to fight and do whatever was necessary to rid her body of this terrible disease, she got started on treatment immediately. Jackie went through several months of chemotherapy only to have the tumor return with a vengeance. This led to an emergency mastectomy and then further grueling treatments including radiation. Despite their efforts, the cancer had become Metastic and spread to her lungs and the diagnosis was terminal. Jackie earned her angel wings on April 7th, 2021.
Jackie loved to cheer on The Phillies, Flyers, Sixers and most of all, her beloved Philadelphia Eagles. She treasured her personalized Jon Dorenbos video, sent to inspire her in her courageous battle against breast cancer. She attended as many tailgates and games as she could. Home openers offered Jackie new hope each season. And the Birds winning the Super Bowl was her dream come true.
She loved to travel both inside and outside the United States. Even during her most difficult weeks, Jackie never stopped dreaming up and planning road trips. Her second home was Ocean City, New Jersey. She called it her “happy place” because it made her so incredibly happy throughout the years. This is where Jackie spent most of her summers with her grandparents while working many different jobs on the boardwalk at the shore.
She was an exceptional writer, armed with an uncanny wit, and you’d consider yourself lucky if you ever heard her deliver a speech.
Jackie’s most extraordinary gift was her ability to make the people she knew and the people she helped, feel as though they were the most important persons in the room. Over the years, she has been nicknamed as “best friend” and “Aunt girlfriend” from those she loved. She possessed a talent for making people laugh and feel cherished. Her sense of humor, luminous smile, and laughter lit up many rooms and softened many hearts.
From a young age, she knew she wanted to help people. A double major in both Psychology and Spanish, she educated, counseled, and was loved by her many students. Social worker by trade, she cared for many families, particularly those with children in crisis. Jackie’s deep reservoir of love and compassion for young people and her concern for their safety and happiness is her lasting legacy to the lives she touched.
Keep watching over us Jacqueline, we love you!