OMF- Carrigan Nelson (20) talk about her journey with osteosarcoma

WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Carrigan was initially diagnosed just after her 18th birthday. She was misdiagnosed with a sports injury for about 6 months. She had been feeling lethargic and had pain in her leg. The pain worsened over time and swelling began to develop just below her knee.

She had been training for a Tae Kwondo Tournament when the pain became severe, she could no longer walk. Her primary doctor sent her for scans which revealed a 10cm tumor behind her kneecap in March 2019. A biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma.

She began chemotherapy immediately, and that treatment lasted about 9 months

During that time Carrigan endured 2 limb salvage surgeries and numerous other surgical procedures. She fought hard through complications and was declared cancer free.

She relapsed last August when a large tumor was found in her original tumor site and her care was transferred to Dana Farber and Boston Children's Hospital. She underwent above the knee amputation and 5 months of high dose chemotherapy. Carrigan has spent cumulatively over 120 nights in the hospital.

She is 6 months post chemotherapy and 11 months post amputation. Her cancer has metastasized to her lungs but is currently stable.

Carrigan is an award-winning vocalist, youth mentor, and community advocate. She is 2015's Aquidneck Island Beach Idol Winner and the 2019 Producer's Choice Winner for the Celebration of Music National Talent Search. Carrigan is Newport County's 2019 NAACP Role Model of the Year and the Newport Daily News 2020 Youth Leader of the Year. Carrigan is Miss Rhode Island's 2020 Honorary Miss Outstanding Teen and 2020's Miss Aquidneck Island for the ARB Crown to Serve Program both of which Carrigan's platform was Pediatric Cancer Awareness

Carrigan is a former dancer and is an 8-time state gold medalist and black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Carrigan hosts several informational pages on social media platforms which honor pediatric cancer warriors and survivors while remembering pediatric cancer angels

Carrigan loves music, camping, animals and traveling. Her bucket list includes traveling to all 50 states of which she has already visited 43.

She wants to continue to empower others and to use her singing voice to help community causes and to raise awareness of the need for pediatric cancer research and funding. Carrigan will attend college this fall and is exploring a career in music and art therapy.

Carrigan will be singing the National Anthem this evening prior to the game.