Cancer appeal is being expanded

An appeal backed by rock legend Robert Plant to send a school catering assistant to America for pioneering treatment is to be extended to help other cancer sufferers.

The Led Zeppelin frontman and fellow musician Mike Sanchez are both personal friends of Jackie Jennings, aged 43, from Hurcott, Kidderminster, and were devastated when they discovered she had a cancerous tumour at the base of her skull.

Her only hope was to have pioneering Proton Beam Therapy which is not available in this country.

They decided to get behind a major fundraising effort when they heard how she had secured £75,000 from Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust for the therapy which has a 98 per cent success rate.

But Jackie had to raise £25,000 to make the essential trip to the States where doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital were waiting to try to save her life.

With the help of a concert at Kidderminster Town Hall and other fundraising events put on by the musicians and other friends, Jackie raised the money and underwent the vital therapy.

Now her life is virtually back to normal and she has been making plans for a summer holiday in the West Country. Almost three years ago after being diagnosed with the life-threatening cancerous tumour, Jackie's future looks bright.

Although she has to undergo regular check-ups she is now hoping the fundraising efforts that have saved her will be continued to help others needing vital treatments.

The Proton Effect charity has become the natural successor of the Jackie Jennings Appeal and organisers hope to finalise the short and long-term aims of the newly-registered charity later this week.

Jackie said: "It is like it all happened to somebody else. My family life has settled down again and my daughter Nicole and husband, Paul, are mighty relieved.

"However, inevitably, I do look at life very differently now. People get so worked up about things that really aren't that important in the grand scheme of life.

"Maybe I used to be like that but not anymore. I relish every day and enjoy every moment. I am forever in the debt of all those who helped me get over to Boston."