THREE years after Saeedah White was told she was terminally ill with a rare form of cancer, she's bursting with life and gratitude.

Saeedah, 39, of Charles Street, Blackpool, is so thankful to be alive that she's organising a five-day charity extravaganza with the aim of raising £10,000 for Cancer Research UK.

She's putting a call out for darts, snooker, pool and dominoes players or teams to enter competitions to be held at Talbot Conversative Club, Milbourne Street, Blackpool, from July 15-18. The week will culminate in a live band and DJ charity cabaret and auction night on July 19.

Saeedah says she was horrified to be told she was one of only a handful of people in the UK with salivary gland cancer.

"I thought the lump in my neck was just down to swollen glands and after the devasting news, I got depresssed for quite a while," she said.

Saeedah's three sons, Thomas, 21, John, 19 and Stephen, 15, supported their mum through life-saving salivary gland removal surgery at Blackpool Victoria Hospital followed by radiotherapy at The Christie Hospital, Manchester.

"The cancer is now under control and I'm living proof that there's always hope," says Saedah.

"I'm arranging the charity nights to put something back for my treatment. How would people like me ever get better without the money which is raised by Cancer Research? I'm very lucky and very grateful."

Shirley McNally, community fundraiser for Cancer Research UK, said: "Saeedah's is a remarkable story and it is great to know her treatment has been successful. We hope the public will support this fund-raising event to enable the scientists we fund to continue important cancer research work."

Blackpool advertising company, Eyecatching Designs, of Church Street, Blackpool, where Saeedah works as a sales and marketing telephonist, have already promised sponsorship and she's looking for other donations/raffle prizes.

Anyone who would like to contribute, enter the competitions or hear more about the charity week's events is asked to phone Saeed on (07951) 873297.