A Lakeland mom has started a business, “Boxed by an Angel,” to provide curated care packages to women fighting cancer. Cathy Angel, 48, a breast cancer survivor, held a soft launch for “Boxed by an Angel” in October when she and her husband Brad gifted ten boxes to women in need.
“When I was diagnosed and going through active treatment, my friends and family became my ‘angels.’ I received so many comforting gifts that kept me going during a time when I was depleted, scared and lonely,” said Angel. “Boxed by an Angel is a way that I can pay it forward. These boxes are curated specifically for women going through cancer treatments and carefully packaged with items that I found comforting during my own journey.”
The boxes include things like candles, lip balms, lotions, handmade soaps, cozy socks, books, face masks, scarfs and journals of gratitude. They’re catered to what each woman likes.
“I do what I can to add these special touches and make each box personal to every applicant. I carefully check all of our products to make sure they are chemical-free and safe for our applicants. That is very important to me,” Angel said. “I include affirmation cards with all types of (inspirational) phrases such as: ‘I see beauty in parts of me that I used to think were broken,’ and ‘I choose to see my life through a lens of gratitude.’”
So far, Angel said she has shipped boxes all over the world, to places as far as Germany and Venezuela. She said she’s shipped more than 100 boxes so far.
“My goal is to make women feel supported and special and take their minds off (of) medications, scans, treatments and medical bills.”
Cathy Angel, Founder of ‘Boxed By an Angel’
“My goal is to make women feel supported and special and take their minds off (of) medications, scans, treatments and medical bills. Most of the women tell me they just want to feel normal and enjoy self-care items that they did before they started treatment,” Angel explained.
People can buy boxes for loved ones. The business also offers the opportunity for people to sponsor a box for someone they don’t know.
“We have had over 200 ladies apply for our boxes through our website in the last three months, and they are located all over the world … several are located here in Polk County. We want to help as many as we can,” Angel said, adding that she currently has a waitlist of 117. “Many of the women applying for, or being nominated for our boxes are under the age of 40 and have small children. Some are even undergoing treatment pregnant.”
One of the ‘worst clubs’ with the ‘best members’
Angel recalls how receiving the extra support and love during her battle with cancer was critical for her survival. She felt a lump in her breast in 2014, but said doctors didn’t believe it was cancerous.
“I had a mammogram and ultrasound and nothing was detected. They told me it was most likely a clogged milk duct from nursing previously. I went on about my life as usual,” Angel said.
Then, in 2015, while undergoing a separation from her ex-husband, she returned to the doctor and mentioned she still felt a lump and wasn’t sleeping well.
“He had me go back for another mammogram and ultrasound. This time, there was a node that had grown next to the original lump that I felt, and this new node was detectable, so they sent me for a biopsy. They called me only a day or so after to tell me that the new node was cancer and a very aggressive type, HER2-Positive,” Angel recalled. “They sent me for an MRI at that point, to check the original lump that I felt, and it lit up as well. The original lump I felt in 2014 was in fact cancer the entire time, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I did not know at the time that I had my first scans that 20 percent of breast cancers are not detectable by mammogram or ultrasound, so I am very glad I advocated for myself and told my doctor the lump was still concerning me. “
Angel had to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and Herceptin, a targeted therapy anticancer drug that involves monoclonal antibodies.
“If I had waited, and not brought it up again, I wouldn’t have had a preventative mammogram for a few more years, and at that point, it would have been too late to treat,” Angel said.
She called undergoing treatment and divorce simultaneously, her darkest hour.
“I couldn’t even call my husband because I didn’t have one anymore. During a time when I needed my husband the most, I was alone. I had to digest the fact that I wouldn’t have a partner, holding my hand throughout my journey. I already felt so low…So, the thought of looking sick, being bald and losing my breasts as a single woman made me feel even lower. I thought about my children and how my journey would impact them. It was a helpless feeling,” Angel recalled.
She said her faith and her village pulled her through.
“I felt more supported during my treatment than any other time in my life, honestly. My mom went to every appointment with me. She and my dad helped with my children when I needed it. My mom did all of our laundry and folded it, washed our dirty dishes, ran errands and helped with every single thing I needed,” Angel said.
Her friends formed, “Cathy’s Fight Club,” and cheered her on the day of her mastectomy.
“They created a meal train and I didn’t cook a meal for about a year. This helped me so much as I still worked full-time throughout my treatment,” Angel said. “Cards and gifts with notes of encouragement continued to show up throughout my fight, giving me the boost I needed to keep going. My team at work decorated our office and continued to encourage me throughout my fight. My new friend and work ‘bestie’ at the time, Pam, even shaved her head with me!”
Angel said this is the type of support women need when they face such a devastating diagnosis.
Helpful words, and some not to say
“There are so many women fighting cancer that don’t have the support system that I had, so I decided to build a community to do just that. Many of our sponsors do not personally know our applicants. They are sharing love and hope with these women, becoming their angels by providing self-care and comfort items,” Angel said.
In her experience, she said offering uplifting comments and encouragement to someone undergoing treatment for cancer is best.
“Supporters should stay away from comments like: ‘It’s just hair, it will grow back,’ or ‘At least you will have new breasts,’ etc. Even though people are trying to help, these types of comments can be very hurtful,” Angel said. “I think many struggle with finding the right way to help a friend or family member fighting cancer, but simply don’t know what is most helpful. It’s always best to reach out and ask how best to help. That way, the exact needs are met.”
She also advises those fighting cancer to find trusted medical providers and join cancer support communities.
“Although (it’s) one of the worst clubs to have to join, it’s filled with the best members. The breast cancer community is one of the most supportive and uplifting communities and they are waiting and willing to encourage every new member in any stage of their journey,” Angel said.
Sponsored boxes run anywhere from $50-$160; boxes for loved ones run from $40 to $150. To sponsor or order a care package, visit www.boxedbyanangel.com. Angel also has an Amazon wish list in case people want to contribute some of the items that are included in sponsored boxes.
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