Last spring, TV talk-show host Rosie O'Donnell surprised a Havre de Grace woman with a $60,000 check that has helped save her life. Tomorrow, she's invited her back to share the story of her recovery.

Last April, Mary Shelley, a Havre de Grace mother of five who was suffering from leukemia and unable to work, needed $80,000 for medical bills related to a needed bone marrow transplant. Some $20,000 had already been raised by Harford County residents.

O'Donnell invited Shelley, her 13-year-old daughter Kate and her friend, Joey Russell, 13, onto the show after she learned that Russell, also from Havre de Grace, was auctioning off a prized antique postcard of the Titanic -- signed by a survivor -- to try to raise the money.

O'Donnell also arranged a surprise visit from the cast of the Broadway show "Titanic," which surprised Shelley with a check for $60,000 collected by "Titanic" producer Michael David. Shelley has since had a successful marrow transplant, and will discuss her recovery on the show (WMAR, Channel 2, at 3 p.m.).

Pub Date: 9/15/98