THE daughter of a Port Talbot grand-dad who lost his battle against a rare form of cancer last month has praised the wonder drug which gave him an extra 18 months with his family.

Sian Thomas was at the forefront of a campaign to get her father John Beynon treated with Sutent and presented health bosses with a 4,000-name petition.

Mrs Thomas said the success of her efforts meant her dad was able to enjoy precious moments with his family which he may never have had.

"He went to my brother Nigel's wedding and he got to see the kids grow up and make their choices about going to college," Mrs Thomas said.

She said she would like to see every family who has a loved one battling cancer given the same chance.

"Every minute and every day is a bonus," said Mrs Thomas.

"I don't know how they can turn around and say someone can't have it."

Mr Beynon, aged 59, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, called a gastrointestinal stromal tumour, just over three years ago and fought the illness until it claimed his life at the end of September.

Medics had told his family that his best chance of life was with Sutent — but Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board (LHB) originally refused to pay for the drug, which costs around £30,000 a year for each patient. However, after the Post highlighted Mr Beynon's plight last year, the LHB agreed to fund the first two months of treatment.

Then a scan early this year showed the drug had been effective enough to warrant further treatment.

Despite the apparent success of the drug in prolonging his life, Mr Beynon, of Angel Street, succumbed to his illness after being admitted to Neath Port Talbot Hospital around three weeks ago.

"He went in with hiccups and they were trying to get his pain under control, but he went downhill so rapidly," said Mrs Thomas.

She added that the end of her dad's life had been a peaceful one: "He went to sleep and never woke up." Mrs Thomas praised the hospital staff who treated her father in his last days and said the family were thankful for the priceless time together that Sutent had afforded them.

"We have a lot of good memories," she added.