A mother-of-two - stricken for the second time by cancer - has launched a fund-raising race against time in a bid to see her children grow up.

Gail Hepworth with sons Tom, aged 11, and Jack, aged seven. Gail is trying to raise money for treatment which could prolong her life Picture: Steven Bradshaw

And Gail Hepworth wants to help prevent other women also going through her nightmare by campaigning for changes in the way breast cancer patients are treated.

Gail, 39, of Hemingbrough, near Selby, who underwent apparently successful treatment for breast cancer four years ago, has now developed incurable secondary bone cancer.

"I have so much to live for and now have been issued with a death warrant," said Gail, who believes chemotherapy treatment and a bone scan four years ago - when experts thought the chances of her developing secondary cancer were extremely low - could have prevented her current plight.

"I'm a 39-year-old mother of two boys, Tom and Jack, aged 11 and 7, and have only been married for 16 months. I don't want to die."

Now she and her family and friends are hoping to raise £7,000 in double quick time to pay for Gail to go to a special New York clinic where she could undergo complementary treatment, which she believes could let her live a longer and better life. "I want to see my children grow up."

She says the Schachter Centre, specialising in a mixture of orthodox and comprehensive therapy, has produced remarkable results not only in extending patients' lives but also improving their quality of life.

Gail, who is daily given morphine to control her pain, also hopes extra money could be raised for the fund to help other people who would like to receive such treatment.

The first major fund-raising venture for the newly-launched Hepworth Hope Appeal will be a 70s "Staying Alive" disco on October 23 at York's Merchant Adventurers Hall, where Gail's wedding reception was held last year when she re-married.

A raffle is being launched in conjunction with the event, with a number of prizes already donated, including a weekend for two in New York, tickets for two to a Leeds United match against Manchester United and a rugby ball signed by Leeds Rhinos.

Her husband David, a police sergeant based at Goole, is taking part with friends in a sponsored walk in the Whitby area at the end of October, and Gary Osguthorpe from Strensall will be sponsored for the appeal when he takes part in the Great North Run this Sunday.

The appeal has started off with a £100 donation from H F Brown heating engineers of Hemingbrough.

Meanwhile, Gail wants to campaign to ensure that every health authority automatically scans breast cancer patients for secondary bone cancer, and for patients to receive similar levels of treatment no matter where they live.

Anyone wanting disco or raffle tickets, or willing to help the appeal in any other way, should contact fund co-ordinator Derek Whetton on 01405 862541. Tickets will also be obtainable from Hearthstone (Texaco) Filling Station in Hemingbrough.

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