Man delivers cancer drug petition

Mr Jones says he has collected 11,000 signatures

A cancer patient from Doncaster has taken his campaign to demand a drug he believes could prolong his life to Downing Street.

Alan Jones, 63, handed in a 11,000-signature petition calling for him to be given the medication on Wednesday.

He said he was refused the drug Cetuximab on the NHS because of funding constraints at his primary care trust.

NHS Doncaster said the decision not to routinely fund the drug had been taken for "clinical reasons".

Speaking after his trip to London Mr Jones said he had to fight the decision.

"My tumours have grown by 25% in the last month so my time is limited," he said.

"But if I don't get the drug it might help other people."

He added: "With this amount of publicity people should take notice."

Mr Jones was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2007 and had his bowel removed a month later. In December 2007 he had part of his liver removed, but three months later the cancer returned.

He said the support he had received in his home town was exceptional.

"We have had a minibus and two drivers donated by Doncaster Community Transport to get us to London and back, the levels of support has been fantastic," he said.

NHS Doncaster said Mr Jones's case would be considered by its funding request panel on Friday to see if there were any "exceptional circumstances".