A cancer sufferer who successfully fought to get the vital treatment he needed to prolong his life has spoken of his joy at knowing his battle has helped others.

It is a year since Colin Ross was in the High Court to force health bosses to allow him to be given the drug Revlimid.

Mr Ross, 56, suffers from multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the blood and bones.

He had been given two months to live but was told the drug had the chance of extending his life by up to three years.

West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) refused to pay the £5,000 a month needed for the drug because it was not cost-effective but the judge overturned the decision and ordered the PCT to fund it.

Mr Ross, of Park Rise, Horsham, started getting the drug shortly afterwards and since then has been showing remarkable progress.

He said: “I know I am not cured and I don't know what is going to happen in the future but I have certainly lasted a lot longer than people expected.

“My doctors at the Royal Marsden said the drug had a good chance of extending my life and it has done that for me so far.

“I'm not saying life is a big party but it is better than it was a year ago.

“By my estimates I cold have another 18 months and who knows what will happen in that time.

“I am physically disabled but I can still get out and about if someone is with me.

“The Revlimid has had massively positive results. I would certainly call it a wonder drug.

“It has given me longer with my family and my friends and you can't ask for more than that.”

Mr Ross has to use sticks but can go on relatively short walks.

If he wants to go further he will use a powered scooter.

He said: “I gave up driving because my condition means I can't feel the controls and so it would be silly and dangerous to try and drive.

“I have kept the car though so others can drive me around. It is a bit of a burden financially because I am on benefits but worth having it.”

Mr Ross said one of his greatest pleasures was knowing others had benefited from his High Court win.

He said: “I did not set out to do that. I just did it because I wanted to get the treatment I needed.

“However I have now learned that it set a precedent and many people in the region afterwards found it easier to get the treatment.

“I was at an event at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year and was in the disabled section.

“There was a woman sitting next to me and we got talking.

“When she realised who I was she gave me a hug and said she would not be alive if it hadn't been for my case.

“I don't go looking for thanks or praise but it was a really nice feeling. I felt really chuffed about it “The idea that other people in my position have been able to spend a bit more time on this planet is a good one.

“If in some way I have helped with that, then it does make me feel very good.

“We don't know what is going to happen but at the moment I am looking forward and being positive.

“I have no intention of going anywhere at the moment.”

Have you benefitted from using Revlimid after Mr Ross’ High Court fight? Tell us your stories at theargus.co.uk/news