Surprise call for DJ Melanie on her special 40 at 40 mission
Cancer patient fulfills ambition to present radio show
Last updated 30th Mar 2017
A brave Bangor woman with terminal cancer is spearheading a campaign to end what she sees as a treatment ‘postcode lottery’.
Mum-of-two Melanie Kennedy recently turned 40 – and is using her birthday year to push for the best deal possible for patients across Northern Ireland.
She has launched a ’40 challenges at 40’ year-long fundraiser and fulfilled one of these today by helping host Downtown Radio’s Breakfast Show.
Among the other already accomplished events was becoming a cheerleader for the Belfast Giants,
Others planned included a fire-walk and an appearance on the X-Factor.
“Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer – it is incurable,” she told Downtown.
“I realised there were more treatment options in other parts of the UK than there was available in Northern Ireland.
“The aim of everything I am doing for cancer patients in Northern Ireland is to have access to treatments that are accessible in the UK – to help others going through illness like myself.”
Melanie has vowed to raise the profile of cancer treatment with health service decision makers including politicians.
And she intends launching a charity lottery to help other patients.
In the meantime, she is working her way through her challenges –one of which was to have a date with country superstar Nathan Carter.
And while on air, he phoned into the show after hearing her story.
“I think Melanie is doing a marvellous thing,” he said.
He then offered to give her tickets to his show at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Friday.
Listen to the call below: