A GWENT teacher who fought for access to a life-lengthening cancer drug is taking part in a campaign to raise awareness of his rare disease among GPs.

Nick Thomas, 50, from Newport, was diagnosed with an incurable type of bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma two years ago, forcing him to give up work as deputy headteacher at Newbridge Comprehensive School, and throwing him and his wife Gillian into a 12 month battle with the Assembly for access to a life lengthening drug.

Mr and Mrs Thomas eventually convinced the Assembly Government to fund the £20,000 Mozobil drug, which allowed Mr Thomas to have a stem cell transplant and lengthened his life by up to nine years.

After returning to work at Newbridge Comprehensive school in December, Mr Thomas has now joined charity Myeloma UK's campaign to raise awareness of the cancer's symptoms with GPs.

It is hoped the TAKE 2 campaign will give the 4,000 people diagnosed annually in the UK a better chance of survival, by delivering two or more myeloma diagnosis pathways to 4,000 GPs across the country.

These will help doctors know what to look for, and what steps to take if they suspect someone has myeloma, with the aim of reducing the 20 per cent of myeloma patients who die within 60 days of being diagnosed.

Mr Thomas has been bringing the cause to Newport by giving diagnosis pathways to GPs in the area, as well as speaking at local rotary clubs to encourage them to do the same.

Mr Thomas said: "It's not every day you are able to make such an important difference and I am please be involved in making the campaign a success in South Wales."

For information on the campaign, visit myeloma.org.uk/TAKE2