Fox Chase Social Worker Anjali Albanese to Receive 2023 Compassionate Care Award From Sarcoma Foundation of America

Anjali Albanese, MSW, LSW, OSW-C, a licensed social worker at Fox Chase Cancer Center, will receive the Compassionate Care Award from the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) during SFA’s Stand Up to Sarcoma Gala on September 19 in New York.

“I am touched and honored to be receiving this prestigious award from such an esteemed organization. As a social worker, I strive to support patients of various ages and backgrounds in navigating the life changes they and their support systems face, and this award recognizes that,” Albanese said.

The SFA is dedicated to increasing research and awareness for sarcoma and the Stand Up to Sarcoma Gala is its flagship fundraising event. Now in its 21st year, it features extraordinary honorees, tributes to sarcoma cancer survivors and advocates, and recognizes important advances in science and research. The international awards presented during the gala are the highest honors bestowed in the sarcoma community.

The SFA Compassionate Care Award is given annually to recognize a patient/nurse navigator — clinical/nurse, community health worker, social worker in the role of a navigator — for his or her outstanding contributions to patient care, support, or education. Albanese was nominated for the award by her patient Tiffany Sontos and her coworker Stephanie Greco, MD, FACS, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at Fox Chase.

“I have learned how to fly with broken wings, and I have Anjali to thank, because she is one of my biggest cheerleaders,” said Sontos. “She is my navigator through the healthcare system, and most importantly, she sees me as a person, not just a number. Anjali truly is and will always be my angel on earth.”

Anjali received her Master of Social Work from the School of Social Work at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Montclair State University.

The SFA is a nonprofit charitable organization that advocates for increased research to find new and better therapies with which to treat patients with sarcoma. The organization raises money to privately fund grants for sarcoma researchers and conducts education and advocacy efforts on behalf of sarcoma patients.