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Will the PCT now help the other cancer sufferers?
CANCER sufferers Colin Howe and Bill Tuohy are now hoping to get a life enhancing drug, after a dramatic PCT U-turn last week.
As we exclusively revealed on our website on Friday, the 63-year-old Russ Jones from Elter Close, Brownsover, looks set to get the 3,500 a month drug Sutent free of charge.
Retired headteacher Russ and his wife Val, part of our Last Hope Campaign, had previously started using their life-savings to buy the drug and thought to sell their home and car.
The decision depends on a scan on Russ's stomach which took place yesterday (Wednesday).
If the scan shows that Russ's stomach cancer has stopped spreading, Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has offered to fund his remaining treatment. The result won't be known for at least a fortnight.
Speaking before the scan, Russ said: "I feel immensely relieved that the PCT has offered to reverse its decision. I am also extremely proud of my wife Val for fighting my corner and refusing to give up."
Meanwhile, fellow Rugby cancer sufferer Colin Howe had his appeal for Sutent heard by a PCT panel on Tuesday and is awaiting the result. Colin's wife Susan asked Labour Party Deputy Leader Harriet Harman to look into the distribution of Sutent when she visited Rugby last week.
Susan said: "Harriet told me she would be looking into the matter and speaking to Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health.
"We may not know the results of Colin's appeal for weeks, but after speaking to Harriet and hearing Russ's news, it has given us a little bit of hope."
Bill Tuohy, from Wolston, is still waiting to hear whether his sixth application for Sutent has been successful.
He said: "I am delighted for Russ because he really needed the drug. Hopefully, this will open the floodgates."
Our Last Hope Campaign is continuing to raise funds for Colin and Russ in case they are denied Sutent.
To donate, please send cheques made out to Rugby Advertiser Charity Event, to Ken McErlain, Rugby Advertiser, Charity Event, 2 Albert Street Rugby CV21 2RS.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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