A BOURNEMOUTH woman is giving back to her hospital after a lifesaving diagnosis.
Melanie Campbell from Bournemouth was admitted to Bournemouth Hospital with severe chest pain.
After tests were done, doctors revealed that Melanie had blood clots on her lungs which would have been life-threatening if left untreated.
Now, after making a full recovery, Melanie wants to repay Bournemouth Hospital for all their help in curing her.
As an avid runner, she has completed the London Marathon four times, as well as an ultramarathon and various other running events and challenges, including summiting Ben Nevis twice.
Now, Melanie is taking her biggest challenge yet, running 102.7 miles across the UK.
She said: “I am a firm believer in giving back.
“I have previously fundraised for the Macmillan Unit in Christchurch as they helped my late mum. I am now keen to turn my own life-threatening experience around into a positive.
“I want to make an impact on the local community by helping to fund a new CT scanner. In doing so, RUN102point7 is a project that aims to raise awareness about Deep Vein Thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms.
“I had recently travelled abroad when I got the blood clots in my lungs but wasn’t aware that potential deep vein thrombosis can affect other areas of your body.
“I could have just put the pains in my chest down to other things, but the pains were stronger and different to anything I had ever experienced before, and the quick thinking/training from the ambulance staff on that day of asking about recent travel, meant I was seen and diagnosed quickly”.
Fundraising Officer for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, Amy Beauchamp said: “What Melanie is taking on is truly inspirational and it couldn’t be for a better reason.
“It’s clear Melanie has the determination to finish any finish line and it will be exciting to hear how she gets on in each race.
“Thank you Melanie for all your support and for helping other patients who may need the support of our hospitals in the future.”
Donations can be made towards Melanie's cause via a JustGiving titled: 'RUN 102.7 miles for Bournemouth Hospital.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here