Alimta

... Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk HTFP site search All about HtFP Click to access your  HtFP e-mail account Regional press campaigns - this story published 22.12.2005 Press appeal success grants 'an extra three months of life' By HoldtheFrontPage staff A press appeal to help extend the lives of people suffering from an illness that can kill within months has been a success.

The Evening Chronicle in Newcastle wanted a drug to be made available on the NHS to mesothelioma sufferers.

The illness is an industrial disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibres and results in fatal lung disease.

The paper published the pictures and stories of six men who have the disease, and who will die soon without the Tyneside-developed drug The Give us a Chance campaign, could bring them an extra three months of life, as well as a better quality of life in their final days, without having to find up to £24,000 for private treatment.

The campaign has been hailed a success after the Northern Cancer Network revealed patients in the north-east would now be able to get their hands on the drug.

Chronicle readers sent in more than 2,000 petitions backing the call.

The first treatments are to begin soon.

The newspaper’s editorial on launch day said: "While Read more...