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Strangers open hearts and wallets for sick Foo Fighters fan

A terminally-ill man from NSW is a giant leap closer to fulfilling a life-long dream of meeting his favourite band, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of strangers around the world.

Yahoo7 reported on Wednesday that Ken Powell, a dedicated Foo Fighters fan who is battling stage four melanoma, is trying to raise enough money to travel to Los Angeles to see the band perform live and then meet the rockers backstage.

“We’re trying to raise funds to get over there and meet the band – finally,” he said.

The 56-year-old almost got his bucket list wish to meet front man David Grohl when the band recently toured Australia, but a bout of food poisoning forced the musician to cancel all meet-and-greets with fans.

It was a huge disappointment for the Warilla resident, who attended all six concerts around the country, despite falling ill.

In a stroke of incredible luck, Mr Powell's friend and Qantas flight attendant, Daniella Whitehead, just happened to be looking after the Foo Fighters on their return flight home, and shared Mr Powell’s story with them.

Ken Powell, who has stage four melanoma, is on a determined mission to meet his favourite band, the Foo Fighters. Photo: Go Fund Me
Ken Powell, who has stage four melanoma, is on a determined mission to meet his favourite band, the Foo Fighters. Photo: Go Fund Me

Moved by the revelation, Grohl invited his devoted fan to an LA concert, but due to financial circumstances Mr Powell is relying on donations to make the kind offer a reality.

His story, published by Yahoo7 on Wednesday, also touched the hearts of many viewers who have dug deep to help him achieve his dream.

In just two days, Mr Powell received more than $20,000 in donations, helping him to smash his fundraising target.

His Facebook page, 'Ken the Foo Fighter', has attracted more than 6000 likes.

Overwhelmed by the response, Mr Powell is now trying to raise $30,000, with the extra funds going towards the Melanoma Institute of Australia.


Mr Powell was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 during a routine check up, and soon afterwards discovered a spot on his lung.

After receiving experimental treatment for 12 months, he received the all-clear but the cancer returned in 2009, when he discovered on his birthday that he had only three to six months left to live.

“It was terrible,” he said.

“I tend to skip that birthday – I want to forget about it.”

Medical staff at Westmead Hospital nicknamed Mr Powell ‘Miracle Man Ken’ after he defied the odds with the help of trial medication, two brain surgeries, and radiation therapy.

“There aren’t that many people who have lasted as long as I have,” he said.

“I just tell them to keep giving me these trial drugs and keep me alive until there’s a cure – that’s what I keep living for.”

Mr Powell said ‘setting life objectives’, like his bucket list goal to meet the Foo Fighters, is what drives him day-to-day.