Causes
Courageous 24-year-old Portsmouth woman receives posthumous police escort from Boston, Celebration of Life and Benefit Concert scheduled
A 24-year-old woman from Portsmouth, Rhode Island who captured the country and social media in her fight against a dreaded disease since she was a teenager, received a posthumous police escort on Wednesday.
Carrigan Nelson fought a courageous seven-year battle against osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer that she was diagnosed with shortly after her 18th birthday.
She became a symbol of resilience and hope in the community, actively sharing her journey on social media where she advocated for childhood cancer awareness and spread positivity amid her treatments.
Nelson, who was also known for her singing, passed away on Christmas Day at Boston Children’s Hospital according to a statement on her GoFundMe fundraiser.
“Our beautiful songbird left us on Christmas Day after her 7-year fight with Osteosarcoma. Carrigan is at peace singing with angels now. Christmas was her favorite holiday and it’s so meaningful that she entered heaven on Christmas because she was such a blessing and a gift to us all. Thanks to all on Team Carrigan for loving our girl as much as we do and for your never-ending support. She wants everyone to know that she didn’t lose her battle. She won by staying true to herself, remaining strong and committed to her advocacy work, and to her family, friends, and community. A few days ago, she wrote “I never gave up, I never gave in, and I stayed silly.” Words to live by…”
Tributes from friends, family, and those who followed her story have poured in, celebrating her strength and the positive impact she had on others facing similar challenges.
According to Nelson’s mother, she had “remained in Boston because she agreed to an autopsy for medical research related to her tumors and surrounding tissue. She was a firm believer in furthering science. It was her final gift in fighting for a cure. She also donated her corneas, and our hope is that someone sees the world though her eyes again.” 
Massachusetts State Police escorted her to the RI state line. At approximately 8:15am – on Route 24 in Portsmouth RI representation from all 3 island police departments, rescue and fire, safely escorted her to Memorial Funeral Home.
Carrigan’s Celebration of Life and Benefit Concert is scheduled for 2/1 at the Wyndham in Middletown RI. Time is tentatively scheduled for 1:30-5.
Her Celebration will include a benefit concert to establish a scholarship in her memory for young students of music and the arts and for causes that are dear to her such as:
In lieu of flowers Carrigan suggested donations to the above-named nonprofits or acts of compassion in her memory.
More details on the Celebration of Life and Benefit Concert are expected to be released at a later date.