Brooklyn teen Sean Mellon, who had a heart transplant when he was 3 and is now battling cancer, plans to become a psychologist so he can help others.
“I want to try to help people like others have helped me throughout my life,” said Sean, winner of the 2006 Young Heart Liberty Medal, in a phone call last week from Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, where he was being treated for an infection.
“I’ve had a tough road, but you’ve got to keep a positive outlook on it all and just keep your head up and keep on going,” said the now-17-year-old.
That’s why he was happy to help out when a child-life specialist at the hospital asked him to have a word with a 9-year-old boy about to have a heart transplant.
“I said, ‘Be strong. Keep your courage,’ and then we played video games the rest of the time,” Sean said.
The Post’s Liberty Medals program seeks to recognize the everyday heroes who are the heart and soul of our city. We invite our readers to nominate people who have made a difference with their skills, energy and compassion.
A panel of distinguished New Yorkers will select the winners in 10 categories, and they will be honored at an awards ceremony in October.
Sean won a Liberty Medal for his enthusiastic support of the Make-A- Wish Foundation.