Awards Given

The Paint Pittston Pink™ Celebration of Life Award is given annually in memory of Brian and Annarose McNulty.           

The former Annarose Adonizio was born and raised in Hughestown. She was a graduate of Pittston Area High School and attended Wilkes University. She was employed by the Luzerne Intermediate Unit and was an active member of the Pittston Library Association, serving as a board member.  Brian was born and raised in Pittston. He graduated from St. John’s High School, King’s College, and Temple University School of Pharmacy. He was employed as a registered Pharmacist at Rite Aid Pharmacy and was co-owner of Family Prescription Counter, Duryea. He was a member of the Lackawanna County Pharmacy Association and volunteered at the Care and Concern Clinic in Pittston. Brian and Annarose were married in 1977 and had a daughter, Melissa, two years later.

As a young wife and mother, Annarose was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. She underwent a colectomy in 1985 and went into remission for six years. At the age of 39, doctors discovered

her cancer had metastasized to her bladder and lungs. She then received extensive chemotherapy and radiation. She endured lengthy hospital stays for her treatment, which often meant time away from her young daughter.  Her fight was not easy as she endured many complications, but she showed tremendous strength through it all and always appeared upbeat and positive.  Annarose passed away while in the hospital at the young age of 41 in 1992. She made the most out of every day she was given in this life. Her dedication to her family and friends was something to be admired and her charisma, fun-loving attitude, positivity, and spirit are continually remembered through her loved ones.

Due to a clinical trial that Annarose was enrolled in, Brian became a dedicated platelet donor and was a successful donor for years. In 2012, however, he was turned away several times because of low hemoglobin results. After a diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, Brian still wasn’t feeling himself. Normally upbeat and energetic, he began experiencing fatigue and notable weight loss. In 2013, several enlarged lymph nodes were biopsied, and results confirmed Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. After a year of failed chemotherapy cycles, he underwent a stem cell transplant in June of 2014. Unfortunately, this did not eradicate his lymphoma, but Brian continued to fight. In combination with immunotherapy, he started a newly approved drug and was starting to show promise. Nonetheless, in January of 2015, Brian lost his battle to lymphoma due to complications of the disease.  Brian met everyone he encountered with a smile. He faced his disease just as he did the other adversities he faced in life, with unwavering strength, resilience and a positive attitude. He loved his career as a pharmacist and his relationships with customers, but his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and friends, especially his three granddaughters, Giuliana, Angelina, and Maya.

Brian’s and Annarose’s lives were cut short by cancer, but not any less fulfilled despite it. They both celebrated each day to the fullest and experienced great love, joy and happiness.  

Although, they faced cancer decades apart, they both believed in the research and participating in the newest treatments.  Not only would Brian and Annarose be tremendously honored to be remembered by their community in this way, but also to be a part of such a worthy cause toward the eradication of cancer.