A LEUKAEMIA sufferer is looking forward to his first Christmas as a father, after life-saving drugs made his dreams a reality.

Kris Griffin, of Kidderminster, is a proud parent thanks to sperm he banked four years ago when he was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML).

When drug Dasatinib gave him back a normal life expectancy, he and wife Kelly decided to try for a baby.Luca Arthur Francesco Griffin was born on October 5 and his doting dad said it felt “surreal” that he will soon be celebrating his new son’s first Christmas.

He explained: “It’s amazing. I never imagined that this could happen when I was diagnosed but it all comes to fruition and everything happens for a reason. It’s all down to the excellent treatment I received.”

The 36-year-old survivor is now fighting for other cancer victims to have access to the same tablets, which are under threat of being axed from the NHS.

NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) has recommended that the Government stops providing the tablets, which cost £30,000 per patient a year.

Those already taking the drug would not have it withdrawn.Mr Griffin said: “It is important to consider that these drugs don't buy a few months or a few years – they buy your life back. Thanks to these drugs it is more than likely that I will die from something other than leukaemia.

“The drugs I take that target cancer cells and shut them down are, what I believe, are the start of the elusive cure for cancer. Yet a Government body, which is part of the NHS and paid for by the taxpayer, is trying to stop that progress in the name of cost effectiveness.”

Mr Griffin went to Westminster to meet a number of MPs including Wyre Forest’s Mark Garnier, to take part in a CML patient lobby to urge NICE to change its mind.

He said: “The day was a great success. I think the group made a slight ripple in a rather big pond and we certainly gained some fantastic support from the people that run our country. I fear that this is just the start of the battle and although my drugs are unaffected by any new decisions this fight is for the people diagnosed today, tomorrow or next year.”

Mr Griffin, who is head of marketing and PR for a Birmingham charity, also told his story to Simon Cox on BBC Radio 4’s The Report which is due to be aired today.

In the New Year, Mr Griffin will join with other patient groups to appeal NICE’s decision but first will enjoy the festive season with his little bundle of joy.