CAMPAIGNING parents Simon and Angela Briscoe spent much of their son's birthday fighting to get better treatment for his blood disorder.

The couple, of Mearley Syke, Clitheroe, are determined to get a new drug for Benjamin, which they say will make his treatment for haemophilia much safer.

Benjamin, who was five yesterday, has been receiving a human-derived drug since he was diagnosed as haemophiliac.

But a revolutionary new drug, which is chemical based but much more expensive for hospitals, is now being given in other parts of the country and Mr and Mrs Briscoe want Benjamin to have it.

Cash-strapped health chiefs at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and East Lancashire Health Authority say the drug being used in the region now is safe and there is no need to incur further expense on a new treatment.

But Mr Briscoe, a commercial manager and his dance teacher wife believe their son and other haemophiliacs should get the best possible drugs. Mr Briscoe said: "The drug which Benjamin is given is very effective in helping his blood to clot, but it is human-derived and, as such, can carry human viruses into Benjamin's body.

"The new drug has none of these risks and we think it is only right that our son and other children receive the less dangerous drug.

"They suffer enough with the disorder they have, why put more risks into their lives?"

The couple joined other parents at the Manchester hospital to continue their campaign to get the new drug.

And they are confident that a new report due out on Thursday from the UK Haemophiliac Centre Directors' Association, which promotes the new drug as the safer product, will give more power to their campaign.

Mr Briscoe added: "Children at other hospitals such as Great Ormond Street and hospitals in Oxford and Canterbury already use only the new drug and we won't rest until our son is receiving it too."

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