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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published:5 December 2008

Melissa Bell with her other daughter Sheniece and Mayor Stefan Kasprzyk

X appeal: Mother of reality TV singing sensation Alex admits she needs a replacement kidney

THERE was a new X Factor drama this week when Melissa Bell, the mother of finalist Alexandra Burke, revealed she is looking for a kidney transplant.
Ms Bell spoke after Islington Mayor Stefan Kasprzyk had offered his support to Alex and urged residents to vote for her.
Former soul singer Ms Bell, who has been attending the Royal Free Hospital, has until now refused to discuss her medical problems. She didn’t want to take the limelight away from her talented daughter.
Yesterday (Thursday) Cllr Kasprzyk collected Melissa from her home off the Caledonian Road and together they visited shops and cafés who had been sporting “vote Alex” posters.
Should she win Saturday’s semi-finals there are plans for a party to celebrate at Koko, in Camden Road, from 5pm onwards.
But today (Friday) Ms Bell was due to appeal for a new kidney on GMTV. She said: “I’ve kept this quiet until now because I didn’t want anything to detract form Alex getting through to the finals.
“But I do need a new kidney. Anyone apparently can donate as long as they are fit and healthy are the right tissue match and blood group.
“Doctors have told me that I could get one within a year and the operations are pretty straightforward these days.”
Ms Bell paid tribune to her “wonderful” consultant surgeon, the Royal Free’s Dr Dimbi Fernando, who will carry out the transplant.
She added: “The entire Royal Free staff are fans of Alex – and I mean patients, nurses, doctors and cleaning staff.
“They all know I’m Alex’s mum.”
X Factor judge Simon Cowell is aware of Melissa’s condition. “He asked how I was feeling when I saw him recently,” she said.
“I’m all right for now but I can’t drink or eat very much. I can’t have the fruits that I love.
“I feel very tired and that I don’t have much quality of life.
“But I’m willing myself to be well for Alex’s sake.”
On December 23 Ms bell will be singing Christmas carols to patients at the dialysis hospital at Mary Rankin centre in King’s Cross.

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