AS SOMEONE who knows the value of targeted treatment, Totton's Leanne Jacobs is deeply concerned about the future of Leukaemia Busters.

The 23-year-old leukaemia sufferer, who was diagnosed earlier this year, has warned that the EU directive could seriously damage lives as well as people's hopes.

Next week Leanne will hand over a £800 cheque to the Wessex Cancer Trust after taking part in a sponsored head shave. Former colleagues at Paignton Zoo in Devon, where Leanne was a birdkeeper, stumped up £600 and family and friends came up with a further £200.

But she said: "Pharmaceutical companies wouldn't take up the charity's specific drug research because there are too few patients and it is not commercially viable for them. But to stop drug testing means there won't be cures.

"The form of leukaemia I have might not affect that many people, but if they hadn't done the research I might not be getting as well as I am, as quickly as I am."