Community rallies behind woman with cancer

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) — Aquidneck Island is rallying around Portsmouth native Carrigan Nelson, a 23-year-old fighting against cancer for the fifth time.

Carrigan is battling osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. The disease has taken portions of her diaphragm, one of her lungs and even one of her legs. She recently started a clinical trial out of North Carolina, but the treatment is costly.

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, the “Summer Jam for Carrigan” is being held at Sunset Cove on Park Avenue. The fundraiser is family-friendly and has music, food, drinks and raffles.

“We’ve had a huge outpouring from businesses and residents wanting to be a part of this. We’re hoping for great weather and just really want to support this family,” event chairperson Chris Carceller said.

Carceller got involved with helping Carrigan’s family raise money for her treatments by chance.

After entering a raffle benefitting a local food pantry, Carceller happened to see that a local restaurant was having a fundraiser for Carrigan and made a pledge to herself.

“For some reason, I just decided to say out loud and prayed that if I could win it, I would figure out how to give the funds to Carrigan instead of keep it myself,” Carceller recalled.

She made good on her promise. When Carceller found out she won an air conditioner, she asked Ocean State Air if she could donate the $10,000 value of the A/C unit to Carrigan instead, and the business happily agreed.

Carrigan is grateful for the support from both Carceller and the entire community.

“It says a lot about the people on Aquidneck Island who don’t know me but have been affected by my story, and even though they don’t know me, they still decide to support my family,” Carrigan said.

“I wish there was a stronger word for thankful because I truly am so thankful and grateful, and I mean, this is helping me go to North Carolina to hopefully try and save my life,” Carrigan added. “How do you thank someone that is helping you save your life?”

You can donate to a GoFundMe supporting Carrigan by clicking here.