AQUIDNECK ISLAND CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENT

Join the tournament committee in welcoming this year’s wish recipient, Carrigan Nelson, 18 year old daughter of Paul & Tammy Nelson of Portsmouth. She also has a brother Sawyer and is granddaughter to Connie Brown.

Carrigan by nature has a high-energy, outgoing personality so it was unusual for her to struggle with low energy. Just over six months ago, her left leg began aching and as the months progressed so did her pain that several medical test proved inconclusive. Later in Taekwondo training, her left leg began to swell and a mass appeared in her lower calf, which eventually produced a limp and constant pain. More tests ensued and a sports injury was the preliminary diagnosis but intuition told her that there was more going on.

With fierce determination, persistence and the insistence of her primary care doctor, targeted testing was conducted which resulted in the diagnosis of a type of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma, a rare form of cancer affecting one in a million. The good news is that the cancer was isolated to her left leg. The bad news is that the tumor was the size of a tennis ball and part of her leg may need to be amputated. Chemo immediately began which will continue into the fall. Next month, surgery will remove the tumor while attempting to save her leg hopefully allowing for affective mobility with the aid of a leg brace.

This type of cancer has a five year 70% survival rate if it has not metastasized. Her doctor says chances are “good” for a positive outcome and that she should be able to practice Taekwondo and dance again someday.

Carrigan is a singer, performer and youth mentor. Her wish is to record a song that she wrote and have it played on the radio and sing it live at a large venue. She would also like to raise awareness of Osteosarcoma so she can kick off a lifetime of advocacy regarding this rare childhood cancer. Because this cancer is so often misdiagnosed early on as a sports injury, raising awareness may help others to get a diagnosis and treatment sooner. This would be a wish come true!