GARY Verity booked a helicopter to fly him and his wife, Helen, from their farm in Coverdale to Royal Ascot in York two weeks ago. For he is determined to enjoy as much time with her as possible.

In January 2004, they were told she had just 18 months to live as she had a rare cancer called myeloma. Until then they, like many others, had never heard of this cancer, which attacks the plasma cells.

Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are responsible for protecting the body against viruses and infections. As the myeloma cells multiply, they disrupt the immune system and displace healthy bone marrow.

Last week was Myeloma Awareness Week aimed at helping more people know about this cancer. Myeloma accounts for 15pc of blood cancers and so is more common than most types of leukaemia.

There is, however, a cure for leukaemia whereas there is not for myeloma. The only reason Mrs Verity was able to enjoy being in the Royal Enclosure was due to a harrowing stem cell transplant she underwent in May last year and the ongoing research into new treatments.

Before the transplant, her husband had to give her the hormone injections each day which encouraged her own body to grow new stem cells. These were harvested before high dosage chemotherapy began. This treatment destroys all of a patient's bone marrow, without which new blood cells cannot be produced.

"It zaps everything. It takes you close to death and then they give you the new stem cells," said Mr Verity.

"You become like a cabbage," added his wife. With her own immune system so depleted, she became very ill for a while.

"We had a few squeaky moments," the consultant, Prof Tony Child, had commented afterwards.

It was only their faith in Prof Child that led them to agree to such traumatic treatment. As there seemed to be a better chance of remission with this therapy, they decided to go ahead, especially as one of their objectives since the diagnosis has been that Mrs Verity should be in hospital as little as possible.

"I want to be at home with Lily," said Mrs Verity.

The couple married on June 15, 2002, and Lily was born in April 2003. Mrs Verity, now 36, gave up working as a farm secretary so that she could enjoy being a full-time mother and wife.

But, in the seventh month of her pregnancy, the back pain started. At first she was told it was due to the pregnancy. Later she was told she was recovering from child birth. It was even suggested she was suffering from post-natal depression.

One of the major problems with myeloma is that the symptoms vary so greatly it can be hard for GPs to recognise it. The most common symptoms include bone pain, infections and fatigue.

When, in late 2003, Mrs Verity became very sick and lost a stone in weight in a week, her husband decided that it was time for a blood test.

"She was going downhill rapidly," Mr Verity said.

The test revealed there were abnormalities in her blood and that she had an excess of calcium in her kidneys.

"It's like osteoporosis - it strips the calcium out of the bones. And all that calcium clogs up the kidneys," he explained.

When the doctor got the result of the blood test, he said Mrs Verity had to go to the James Cook Univetsity Hospital in Middlesbrough immediately.

"We got a phone call at 9am on Christmas Eve and were told that a consultant was waiting to see her," said Mr Verity.

"We found someone to look after Lily and I took her in the car. When we got there, I asked if we could get home in time to be with my parents and family.

"My parents were coming for Christmas and ended up staying for six weeks.

His wife added: "I didn't get home until March."

The couple were told that Mrs Verity had multiple myeloma as the disease was affecting several parts of her body. With his wife being ravaged by this rare cancer, Mr Verity began his own research and soon found that the top specialist was Prof Child, who was then based at Leeds.

Through the Middlesbrough Hospital, he was given the chance to persuade Prof Child to take Mrs Verity as a patient.

"You felt that he had a bit of genius about him. He tailored her treatment to suit her. I would probably have voted against stem cell therapy if it had been anyone else," Mr Verity said.

They are thankful for all the support they have received, including those helping Mrs Verity with the housework and child care as well as their friends.

"Our friends have been awesome," they both agree.

Mrs Verity praised the nurses who cared for her at Middlesbrough and in Leeds. And the couple are also grateful for the International Myeloma Foundation (UK) which has kept them up to date with research into the disease.

"Research is so important, especially to find a cure," said Mr Verity.

The objective of IMF (UK) is to inform and support people affected by myeloma, and help improve treatment and standards of care through research and education.

Those it works in partnership with are: patients and carers to help them cope with everything a diagnosis of myeloma brings; doctors, to find better ways of treating myeloma; nurses, to find better ways of treating the disease; and scientist, to improve treatments, reduce side effects, and develop potential preventative and curative strategies.

It relies heavily on voluntary donations and fundraising activities. For more information about myeloma, which accounts for 1pc of all cancers, contact IMF (UK) at Lowe Ground Floor, 37 York Place, Edinburgh, EHI 3HP, or at www. myeloma.org.uk.

Those contacting the infoline on 0800 980 3332 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm) will be given immediate access to information and support, with calls being answered by specialist nurses who are supported by medical and scientific advisors.