This week is National Leukaemia Awareness Week, and one young Worcester woman, who has battled with a form of the illness for the last nine years, explains how she has coped DANCING away to Elton John's biggest hits along with thousands of other concert goers at Worcestershire County Cricket Club earlier this year, Claire Strain looked as if she hadn't a care in the world.

But the reason the 24-year-old was at the concert of the year in Worcester wasn't just because she was a fan of the pop and rock legend.

It is because she has leukaemia.

Claire's dad Steve had seen a chance for a leukaemia sufferer to win tickets to the gig courtesy of Blackpole-based national charity Leukaemia CARE, so he entered the competition on behalf of his daughter, and won.

On that hot June night, Claire and eight fellow leukaemia sufferers from around the country were treated to a meal at Brown's restaurant before being whisked off to enjoy a fantastic evening.

Claire, from Cover Green, Warndon Villages, certainly deserved it. She has spent the last nine years battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a cancer of immature lymphocytes, called lymphoblasts or blast cells in the blood, after being diagnosed when she was 15.

"It started when I found a lump in the top of my leg," Claire remembers.

"I went to have it checked out and after it was taken out it was thought that I had bone cancer.

"But then I was sent to a children's hospital where they said that this wasn't the case, and that I had leukaemia.

"It was pretty scary at the time as as far as me and my family were concerned, this was a killer disease."

What followed was two year's worth of intense treatment in the forms of chemotherapy and medication. Claire lost her hair and had to cope with a tube coming out of her chest - but she didn't let it hold her back.

"I still went to school. I wasn't one to let it get me down," she said.

"So I left St Mary's Convent, Battenhall, with all my grades and went into remission."

But when Claire turned 19 things took a turn for the worse as she started suffering from regular headaches.The leukaemia had returned and this time she required a bone marrow transplant. The transplant allows patients to have much higher doses of chemotherapy than usual, which may help to improve the chances of curing some types of cancer, leukaemia or lymphoma, or prolonging a remission.

Claire received very high doses of chemotherapy over a few days which destroyed her bone marrow and stem cells before she was given a drip of donor stem cells which came courtesy of her sister Vicky, who at two years older than Claire, was at university at the time.

But again Claire remained positive and went into remission.

"It didn't affect me too much because of my strong character - I was determined to crack it," she said.

Now, at 24, Claire is recovering from her second bone marrow transplant which she underwent in November 2005.

"In June last year it was discovered that I had two lumps near my ovaries and further investigation found lymph nodes had come up on my neck.

"So I was told I would have to have another bone marrow transplant and Vicky stepped in again. I'm now on penicillin and have regular checks.

"Now I'm studying creative digital media at the University of Worcester."

As well as her own positive attitude, Claire says her family and Leukaemia CARE have kept her going.

"My family are absolutely brilliant and have really helped me over the last few years," she said.

"Above all, I can talk to them which really helps.

"But Leukaemia CARE is there for people who maybe haven't go the family support that I have.

"They are very knowledgeable on the subject of leukaemia, lymphoma and the other allied blood disorders and there is someone on the end of the phone whenever you need them.

"And of course, winning their competition to see Elton John was a great way of meeting other sufferers, as well as having a brilliant night out."

To find out more about Leukaemia CARE, call the free 24-hour CARE Line on 0800 1696680 or visit www.leukaemia.org.uk To find out about becoming a volunteer call 01905 755977. For information on fund-raising for Leukaemia CARE call 0870 7743667 or visit www.run4leukaemia.org.uk

THE TRUTH ABOUT LEUKAEMIA

Leukaemia is often referred to as blood cancer. It occurs when massive numbers of rogue white blood cells take over the bone marrow, which is the principal site of blood cell production, and spill out into the bloodstream. If left untreated, it is almost always fatal.

Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers related to leukaemia, where tumour growth occurs in the bone marrow or lymph glands. There are a number of other related blood diseases, such as myelodysplasia, the myeloproliferative disorders and aplastic anaemia, that have life-threatening consequences for all patients.

Every year in Britain 24,500 people are diagnosed with leukaemia or one of the other blood cancers. Leukaemia and lymphoma together account for half of all childhood cancers.

The exact cause of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is unknown. Research is going on all the time into possible cause.

In recent years, there has been publicity about leukaemia occurring more in children who live near nuclear power plants or high-voltage power lines. Research is being carried out to see if there is a link.