Published: Wednesday, 27th May, 2009 9:00am

Friends back Darling for mistletoe medicine

IT"S based on the flower of romance and helps treat hundreds of cancer patients each year, but mistletoe therapy doesn"t come cheap.

In fact, it costs around £5,000 for a two-week course.

But when Galashiels cancer sufferer Andy Darling discovered the clinic in the Midlands that is revolutionising cancer treatment, his hairdresser and friend Tim Lamb stepped up to help him raise the cash.

Events boss Andy, 41, was diagnosed with the diseasse in 2003, after noticing a lump in his breast. He has since undergone six years of gruelling chemotherapy treatment, leaving him nauseous, weak and unable to sleep.

But now he has been given new hope by a cutting edge treatment which uses mistletoe extracts to boost the immune system and help the body cope with the side effects of chemo and radiotherapy.

Andy told the Border Telegraph: 'My friend told me about the treatment about a year ago, and I"ve been doing a lot of research into it. It started in Germany, and is big over there and in places like Switzerland and Asia.

'It basically involves injecting two drugs which come from the mistletoe plant. It"s all about improving quality of life. There are no side effects; no tiredness, or sickness. It just helps prevent infection by strengthening the immune system.'

The initial two week stay at the Park Attwood Clinic near Dudley costs £5000, although there is the possibility to get the drugs through the NHS following the initial treatment.

And Andy said he was thrilled when Tim and his team offered to run the Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for the treatment.

He added: ' It"s just fantastic. I"m very lucky to have people who are doing this for me. I"ll be up on Sunday cheering them on.'

Hairdresser Tim will be joined by friends Barry Scott, Joss Ritchie and Gary Hays, who have already received over £700 in sponsorship for their combined 26-mile run.

Tim told us: 'I cut Andy"s hair and he has become a good friend over the last few years. He wasn"t well over Christmas, so we told him that we wanted to do something for him. It"s really good to be able to help raise money for his treatment by doing the marathon. It"s a great cause.'

The team will also be making a donation to Macmillan Cancer Care, who have supported Andy through his illness.

To sponsor them, you can drop into The Studio Hairdressing at Gala Park. Alternatively, If you"d like to make a donation, send a cheque to Tim Lamb at The Studio Hairdressing, 71 Gala Park, Galashiels.