A DROITWICH Spa cancer victim hopes shocking scenes from devastated America will encourage residents to give blood and save lives.

Darryl Bradford, a New York resident for 13 years, says the terrorist attack on the USA serves as a reminder that disaster can strike at any time.

He returned from Manhattan in March because his health was deteriorating. He has spent the past week worrying about his stateside friends.

Three of his pals were working at the World Trade Centre on Tuesday September 11 when two hijacked planes were flown into the twin towers by terrorists.

Darryl, aged 34, told the Advertiser: "I was on the phone to one of my best friends in New York when the first plane crashed, she said to put the news on - then the phone went dead.

"One friend had to climb over dead bodies to escape and another was trapped in rubble for nine hours before being rescued.

"My friend's husband is still missing - I'm living in hope for a miracle."

American hospitals made desperate appeals for blood donors to help the injured.

In 1999, Darryl was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, a flesh eating form of cancer.

The trained social worker has endured months of radiation and chemotherapy.

Treatments have reduced his red blood cell count and the former Droitwich Spa High School pupil needs regular blood transfusions.

The Stalls Farm Road resident said: "I can imagine the desperation of medics who need blood to save the sick.

"Blood transfusions have been my saviour. I can go into hospital in a wheelchair and come out nine hours later like a sprinter.

"If any good can come out of this terrible atrocity, let it be that more people give blood. You never know when you'll need it."

Call the National Blood Service on 0845 7711 711 for details about becoming a donor.