​Carrigan’s Story

Left to right Standing: Carol Corcelli, Aiden,Malibu, Tammy Nelson Seated: Carrigan Not pictured: Paula Iacono, Executive Director

​She is 22 years old, a professional singer, an aspiring artist, a daughter, a girlfriend. And she has cancer.
Diagnosed when she was just 18 with Osteosarcoma Bone Cancer, Carrigan has undergone two failed
limb salvage surgeries and ultimately above the knee amputation 3 years ago. She has endured over 20
surgeries including 3 extensive thoracotomies (lung surgeries) and a life saving surgery last February
when a lime sized tumor was removed from my pericardium - a portion of which was removed along
with part of my diaphragm, phrenic nerve and lower lobe.

She has been on chemotherapy since the diagnosis and will remain on chemo indefinitely as the cancer
has metastasized to her lungs. She continues to sing locally at fundraisers even with cancer in both
lungs, and is currently working with a vocal coach to work around the challenges presented by cancer,
the lung surgeries and chemo.

Ever the warrior, she is an avid pediatric cancer advocate and encourages other young people who are
going through the same journey. She is also taking piano lessons, and shares her voice to entertain and
spread awareness of pediatric cancer. She is a “dog mom” of two dachshunds (Mr. Toffee and Malibu)
and enjoys arts and crafts.

The Isabella Dora Corcelli Memorial Fund awards grant to young RI women battling cancer for “quality
of life” experience. Carol Corcelli, Isabella’s mom, presented a grant award to Carrigan in memory of
Isabella that included a spa gift certificate and funds to assist with voice and piano lessons.