Olivia Newton-John’s six life lessons: Cancer patient reveals what she learned from the Grease star who called her out of the blue to offer support
- Mel Dee Dzelde claims to have had a friendship with the late Olivia Newton-John
- The cancer patient, 52, received a call from the actress during treatment
- A mutual friend told Olivia what Mel was going through then offered to call
- Since 2017 Mel claims to have remained in touch through calls and texts
- Mel told FEMAIL the important life lessons Olivia taught her over the years
An Australian woman battling two serious illnesses has shared how Olivia Newton-John called her out of the blue to help her through her lowest times.
Mel Dee Dzelde, 52, from Adelaide, was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer in 2017 then Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2021 and claims to have received the call during treatment as she shared a mutual friend with Olivia.
‘She said: “Hi Mel, it’s Olivia here. I’ve heard you’ve been going through a challenging time”,’ Mel told FEMAIL.
‘We spoke for about an hour – she wanted to know what I was going through and shared some of her own struggles with cancer.’
The beloved Grease actress died on Monday aged 73 at her home in southern California after a 30-year fight with cancer.
Mel described Olivia as her ‘earth angel’ who continued to check-up on her from time to time, including on her birthday and at Christmas.
Mel Dee Dzelde, 52, from Adelaide, (pictured) received a phone call from the late Olivia Newton-John while undergoing cancer treatment after being diagnosed in 2017. said: “Hi Mel, it’s Olivia here. I’ve heard you’ve been going through a challenging time”,’ Mel told FEMAIL
Beloved Aussie actress Olivia Newton-John (pictured) who starred in Grease died on Monday aged 73 at her home in southern California after a 30-year fight with cancer
The friendship began when Mel’s mutual friend, Megan, told Olivia what she was going through – and without hesitation the actress offered to call.
At the time Mel was undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and was shocked when she heard who was on the other side of the line.
Mel described Olivia as a ‘very loving and kind person’ who treated everyone equally and the pair continued to stay in touch through texting and phone calls.
‘Olivia was so caring, it was like she was holding my hand through it all. She would always check-in on me which was lovely,’ she said.
The two spoke about meeting in person but Covid prevented this from occurring as Mel was in Australia and Olivia was overseas.
During the last few years, Olivia taught Mel a lot of valuable lessons about how to live a happy life despite experiencing cancer treatments.
‘Olivia always said to not focus on the sickness, but on the wellness. She showed me how to embrace life no matter what’s happening to you,’ she said.
Mel last spoke to Olivia indirectly through Megan last month.
‘She hadn’t answered my last couple of messages and I was worried about her, so she felt her love to me and encouragement to stay positive when she was talking to my friend,’ Mel said.
During the last few years, Olivia taught Mel a lot of valuable lessons about how to live a happy life despite experiencing cancer treatments. ‘Olivia always said to not focus on the sickness, but on the wellness. She showed me how to embrace life no matter what’s happening to you,’ she said
Mel last spoke to Olivia indirectly through Megan last month. ‘She hadn’t answered my last couple of messages and I was worried about her, so she felt her love to me and encouragement to stay positive when she was talking to my friend,’ Mel said (pictured: Mel and her husband)
When Olivia passed away on Monday, Mel said she spent the day in tears as she reminisced on the beautiful person Olivia was.
‘She was such a beautiful human and an important person who helped so many people – it doesn’t matter who she spoke to, she acted the same way to everyone,’ she said.
‘I like to think she’s experiencing all the love the world has for her.’
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