L IFE-SAVING treatment and the joy of having a miracle baby has spurred a cancer patient to raise thousands of pounds for the Christie Hospital.

Debbie Worthington, a financial consultant with Atherton branch of Lloyds TSB, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system, in August 1999.

The 32-year old went through intensive treatment, but as soon as her cancer was in remission she set about raising money for the hospital that saved her life.

Over the last three years Debbie has raised a staggering £31,000 through an annual sponsored walk around Rivington Pike.

Despite the relief of being in remission and her fund-raising success the thought that the cancer treatment had rendered Debbie infertile was a great sadness to her. On her last walk, in August 2002, she experienced serious stomach pains, and was terrified that her cancer had returned.

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owever, when Debbie visited her doctor the diagnosis couldn't have been further from her fears. Debbie learned that she was seven months pregnant!

As Debbie and husband Andrew presented the £10,000 proceeds of her sponsored walk last summer, when she was unknowingly pregnant, she spoke of her joy since the birth of healthy baby Dylan in November.

Debbie said: "Andrew and I are so delighted. When I was diagnosed with cancer there was no time to freeze my eggs, and I had chemotherapy for six months. I thought I would never be able to conceive.

"We feel truly blessed, not only have I been given another chance at life, but now we have a future to look forward to with our perfect son. I'll always be grateful to Christie's for everything they did for me."

Her consultant Professor John Radford Professor was presented with the cheque and praised Debbie's continuing dedication to supporting the hospital's work.

He said: "We are delighted that Debbie's cancer is in remission and that following treatment she has given birth to a healthy little boy. This kind of positive news makes our work all the more worthwhile."

Debbie's latest donation of £10,000 will be split between the lymphoma research and the hospital's general research fund.

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ebbie said: "Andrew and I would like to thank all the people who have been so good to us in the past year. Friends, family and colleagues have been amazingly supportive, both in terms of getting involved with the fund-raising and helping with Dylan."

She stressed that despite the attention Dylan's birth has brought, they are looking forward to getting back to normal life. Debbie has returned to her job and she intends to carry on fund-raising for Christie's. Her next sponsored walk is planned for August 3 this year.

Anyone wishing to take part should contact the Christie Hospital Appeals Office on 0161 4463988.