That's the situation faced by two Rugby men who have cancers but just don't know when they will die.

But there is a last hope and it is a new drug called Sutant which could help treat both cancers and improve and maybe prolong their lives.

But Warwickshire PCT has already made the decision (and turned down the appeal), by Anthony Jones - they will not pay for his treament with this drug.

For the other, Colin Howe, the decision came as we were going to press - his application for the treatment has been declined.

Click here to see the story about the campaign for Colin and Russ.


The two men are not taking it lying down. They are looking at how they can fund the treatment themselves, but at the cost of £3,500 per month the future looks pretty dire. Unless of course they get help.

Individuals who read about these appeals invariably give generously and others are already giving to their own favourite charities.

But what is rare is to launch an appeal which successfully galvanises the business community into giving to such a cause. So, I am setting myself up for a fall, but that is what I intend to do.

In our letters page last week there was the suggestion by an 83-year-old woman that if every company gave £100 it would solve the situation.

I don't believe that is true and we would never get every company to give, but I would hope we can get quite a few..? However, I am prepared to say that along with Keith Lawson from The Blind Company, Rugby, we are pleased to give £100.

I know that many Rugby company bosses don't actually live in Rugby, and worse than that, don't read the Rugby Advertiser, so I would ask everyone reading this, to bring this appeal to the attention of their company managers.

I don't know how long this appeal will run or how much we will need to raise. But what I do know is that the lives of two men will rely on it. And, of course, we should spare a thought for their wives and families who are facing a very rough time.

Anyone who has had any connection with cancer or a bereavement because of it, will know what these men and their families must be going through.

Companies, please give...

Click here to email Peter.