South Wales Argus (KC) 06-Oct-08
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Cancer battler's vow to help others
By Debbie Green »
A CHEPSTOW man who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer is aiming to set up an independent fund, providing other sufferers with life-prolonging drugs.
Two weeks ago, Chris Lewis, 54, of Pwllmeryric, launched his campaign for the NHS to fund the life-prolonging drug sutent for anyone who would benefit from it.
Mr Lewis has terminal kidney cancer which has spread to his spine and lungs and was told the drug could prolong his life by at least six months.
But Monmouthshire Local Health board won’t fund it because guidance from the Assembly’s All Wales Medicine Strategy Group and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) doesn’t recommend the drug.
Draft NICE guidance says the drug is not cost effective, and final guidance is expected in January 2009.
A spokeswoman for Monmouthshire Local Health Board said she couldn’t comment on individual cases, but said funding for the drug would be considered in exceptional cases.
Mr Lewis has vowed that he will not accept funding for himself if it is not made available to all who would benefit.
Now Mr Lewis, his wife, Caroline Lewis, 52, and son Christopher Lewis Junior, 32, are hoping to launch a charity called CCC4C - Chris, Caroline and Christopher for Cancer.
The charity would fund life-prolonging drugs for those who are refused funding on the NHS, so long as the drug has been clinically approved and recommended by a consultant.
Mr Lewis says he’s already had pledges for the fund from large businesses, and said he needs to get the fund registered with the charity commission.
Mr Lewis told the Argus the fund has been a dream of his for a long time, even before he knew he would’ve benefited from the drug.
Mrs Lewis said the fund would help her family to get through her husband’s cancer ordeal.
She added: “We will make a very strong team, we’ve raised lots of money for charity together in the past.”
In 1992 the three raised around £5,000 for children’s hospitals in Brecon, when they hiked across the Brecon Beacons.
The family already have plans for how they will raise funds once the charity is up and running, including raffles, a darts marathon, and a talent night.
Mr Lewis is looking for a solicitor or someone with the relevant experience who can help him to officially set up the CCC4C charity. If you can help, please contact Mr Lewis on 07595119345. Plea to PM is next ON Tuesday September 23, Chris Lewis visited the Assembly as part of his campaign to make Sutent available on the NHS to anyone whose life could be prolonged as a result.
Now he is taking his campaign a step further as he plans to meet Monmouth MP David Davies at the House of Commons on October 14.
Mr Lewis said he will be giving Mr Davies a letter to be passed on to Gordon Brown.
Travelling to London is going to be difficult for Mr Lewis, who often struggles to get out of bed, but he said nothing will stop him from going.
He said: “I made a promise that I’d spend the rest of my life doing something good for others.”
He added: “You just can’t put a price on life.”
Mr Lewis is hoping others will also meet him at the House of Commons at 3pm to show their support for his campaign.
MP David Davies said he would be supporting Mr Lewis’ campaign.
Website founders give support
Greg Lance-Watkins, also lives in Chepstow and suffers from kidney cancer, got in contact with Mr Lewis after reading about his campaign in the Argus.
Greg Lance-Watkins, 62, started showing symptoms of kidney cancer in 1988 (1998 correction G.L-W.) and was diagnosed in 2001, said he also supports the campaign.
He co-founded a special website for people suffering from kidney, prostate, bladder, penile and testicular cancer last year.
The aim of the website is to give cancer sufferers access to information as well as a Forum to discuss their concerns with each other.
Greg Lance-Watkins is now using his website to publicise Mr Lewis campaign.
You can visit Greg Lance-Watkins’ website at KidneyCancerResource
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