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Susie has cancer

Kate Stirrup
19/ 2/2004

THE WOMAN behind the appeal to raise £5 million to save Francis House Hospice is battling breast cancer.

For the past four years former radio presenter and pop star Susie Mathis, 56, has coordinated the fundraising campaign fronted by eight-year-old Kirsty Howard.

Now she is scared she may not live to achieve her aim.

Susie, who has also raised more than £1 million for cancer care at Wythenshawe Hospital, was diagnosed after discovering a lump in her left breast on Christmas Eve.

She said: "Cancer respects no one, but I never thought it would happen to me. I feel I have become a member of a club that I want to get out of. I am so scared. The idea I won't be there with Kirsty when we finally get £5 million for the hospice terrifies me."

Doctors at the Bupa hospital in Whalley Range have removed two malignant tumours and it is hoped Susie's course of radiotherapy starting next month at the Christie Hospital will kill off any remaining cancerous cells.

Susie said: "I feel like I have experienced everything, from Top of the Pops to being on the radio, but I've never been a mother. I have no family and I could not love Kirsty any more if she was my own daughter - I would give up my life to save hers."

"But this emotional torment has made me formidable. I am determined to raise this money and I'm not holding back anymore."