A desperate appeal has been launched to raise thousands of pounds to fund potentially life-saving treatment for a Bradford mum-of-two struck by a cancer which affects just one in a million people.

Doctors have told Christine Bailey, 41, of Woodside, the cancer which has spread from her adrenal gland is incurable.

But Mrs Bailey, backed by family and friends, has refused to give in to the disease and hopes to raise £6,000 for an alternative therapy pioneered in America using substances derived from shark cartilage which it is claimed can cure cancer.

Already a range of activities are planned to reach the target in the campaign 'A Cure for Christine' and in the meantime she is hoping chemotherapy will keep the cancer at bay.

Mrs Bailey, who has two daughters Adele, 23, and Terri, 13, said she had been diagnosed following a week of tests at Bradford Royal Infirmary in July after she collapsed at work with severe stomach pains.

Surgery to remove a tumour the size of a melon was carried out and she has been on a course of chemotherapy since as the cancer spread to her lungs and lymph glands.

Doctors told her the cancer was incurable using conventional medicine but her friend Debbie Wigglesworth came across a potential treatment by chance while surfing the Internet.

They investigated the procedure and are now pinning their hopes on it.

Mrs Bailey said: "I have been positive all the way through and even though the doctors have told me how aggressive it is, I feel I am not going to let this kill me."

Consultant oncologist Dr Chris Bradley, of BRI, said shark cartilage was an alternative-type therapy and had not been through rigorous scientific analysis that normal chemotherapy had and whether it worked was still not known.

l A big charity night will be held at the East Ward Labour Club on Tuesday, November 24.

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