By Samantha Bambino
Star
In life, Anna Carpino was a force to be reckoned with.
From fundraising over $80,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, to stocking the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with puzzles and other activities for patients, to supplying her entire Northeast Philadelphia block with homemade pizza, Carpino always thought of others before herself.
Even after her devastating glioblastoma diagnosis in October 2019, the mother of two was the epitome of strength and positivity. This remained true until Sept. 25, 2021, when, at the age of 46, she lost her battle to this aggressive form of brain cancer.
Though she may be physically gone, her legacy of helping others — especially those fighting childhood cancer — lives on through her sister Libby Caranci, who launched Anna’s Angels during Carpino’s final days.
“My sister, she was an advocate for childhood cancer,” said Caranci, a resident of Feasterville. “My goal is to provide much-needed financial and emotional support during the incredibly challenging time of fighting this horrible disease.”
Anna’s Angels started out small, with Caranci hosting raffles on Facebook and donating whatever money was raised to a local family, all through word of mouth. Yet with time, the initiative expanded.
As the organizer of the Neshaminy Kids Club, a before- and after-school program at Tawanka Elementary School, Caranci got the students involved. They make cards for young cancer patients in the hospital and, with their parents, choose a recipient off a Giving Tree each Christmas and shop for requested items. These items are for not only the sick child, but also their siblings, who Caranci explained can unintentionally be forgotten about during such a stressful time.
“At Neshaminy Kids Club, we always teach the kids about giving back to the community, and teaching kids at a young age the importance of helping people who don’t have much,” Caranci said. “If you don’t teach them at a young age, they’re not going to become that as an adult.”
For the first time, on May 24 (Carpino’s birthday), Caranci presented the inaugural Anna Carpino Scholarship Award to three local students who are either a brain cancer survivor themselves, or have someone in their family who was diagnosed. They were asked to write and submit an essay about their cancer experience, and were awarded $500 each.
This year’s winners were Timothy Fisher, of Feasterville, a student at Keystone College whose mother is a brain cancer survivor; Angelina Ferrandino, of Feasterville, a senior at Villa Joseph Marie whose grandmother passed away from brain cancer; and Vanessa Moresi, of Philadelphia, a student at Immaculata University and a glioma (brain tumor) survivor.
“Anna never stopped praying for and supporting others, making her a true inspiration to her community, friends and family,” Caranci said. “Despite her own battle with brain cancer, Anna kept her spirits high and continued to fight bravely. Her legacy of kindness and dedication lives on through this scholarship.”
Currently, through Anna’s Angels, Caranci is helping Joey Myers, a 13-year-old from Philadelphia who is battling a rare type of brain cancer. Earlier in the year, Caranci learned of his story: how his family had to uproot their lives and travel to Pittsburgh because CHOP was unable to complete the major surgery required, and how his only wish through all of this was to have a Pug to call his own.
Unable to fulfill this wish on their own due to medical bills and travel expenses, Myers’ mom put out a call on Facebook, which was answered by Caranci and one of Carpino’s high school friends, who found and paid for the Pug puppy. When his new furry friend was brought to him, Myers cried tears of joy, unable to believe that his wish came true. Unfortunately, three days later, an infection was found in his brain, and he’s been forced to stay at CHOP ever since. He is doing better and, though he has yet to be discharged, was finally able to be reunited with his puppy outside the facility.
Caranci also helped the family acquire a ramp for their home, free of charge, so that Myers can receive in-home therapy and not have to travel back to Pittsburgh, as was recommended by CHOP.
“We try our best to help,” Caranci said. “When you experience something like this, you know how it feels. I just do the best I can to be helpful.”
Prior to helping a family, Caranci always asks permission. As someone who understands firsthand what they’re going through, she knows that sometimes, it can feel embarrassing or burdensome to request assistance, even during such a trying time.
If Carpino could see the work that’s happening in her memory, Caranci knows her sister would be overjoyed. Carpino’s efforts to help those battling childhood cancer began when her own son Mario was diagnosed at the age of 4, and was expected by doctors to live only three more months. However, they couldn’t have been more incorrect, with Mario about to celebrate his 21st birthday this month.
Despite that portion of his childhood being fraught with fear and uncertainty, Carpino worked to make things not so dark for her boy. Prior to hosting one lemonade stand event, she took to Facebook to make a post about how much Mario liked Jon Bon Jovi, and how much it would mean to have the rock star make an appearance. The post was seen by Bon Jovi’s son, who passed the message along to his dad.
“He flew in from Florida, came to the lemonade stand unannounced, just walked in with his manager. Anna’s like, ‘Oh my God, is that him?!’ He didn’t want to announce it and publicize it because he said, ‘People would’ve come for me and not your child,’ ” Caranci said. “He went to all the little stands with him, the dunk tank, put money in the lemonade pot. He spent like an hour with Mario and just walked all around the lemonade stand. I was like, ‘What is happening right now?.’ ”
When Bon Jovi learned of Carpino’s diagnosis, he called her personally to express his well wishes. Then, upon her passing, he called Mario to send his condolences. It was a testament to the impact that Carpino made on others, even famous artists.
“Everyone loved Anna,” Caranci said. “She would cook for all the kids on the block. She would cook for everybody, she was like the pizza lady of the block. She would make homemade pizza. That’s who she was.”
Even when she was sick in the hospital, she was thinking of others. When she learned that there were no puzzles or other activities to keep patients occupied at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, she put out a call on Facebook for people to donate games and other fun items.
“She got thousands and thousands of things donated to Penn. As sick as she was, she was not even thinking about herself. She got so much stuff, it was just surreal. I don’t know how she did it,” Caranci said. “My sister was always positive and never complained. God puts all of us on this Earth to serve a purpose. My sister’s purpose was to bless others and show others the meaning of kindness. I always thought my sister was too good to be here on Earth. She certainly was an angel among us.” ••
For those looking to support Anna’s Angels, they can get in touch with Caranci at [email protected] or through the Anna’s Angels Facebook page.
