A TANTALISING event is being organised to help York cancer victim Chris Nelson in her extraordinary battle for health.

Chris, 56, of Heworth, hit the headlines last year when she revealed she was planning to take almost 200 capsules and tablets - containing 43 different minerals, vitamins and other natural substances from around the world - every day in an attempt to attack her cancer and protect her immune system.

She is now working to a new plan of 120 tablets, but can only afford to take 40 of them a day.

A fundraising cookery display and tasting event with Sainsbury's demonstration chef, Danny Cartwright, will be held on August 21 at the Reading Rooms, in Main Street, Dunnington, York, to help Chris buy more of the tablets, supplements and injections.

Chris was delighted when her "tumour marker" fell to 838 from 1,400 after starting the treatment. Although it has now risen to 962, Chris puts it down to a series of injections that release toxins from the cancer into the blood stream.

"I'm not worried at all. I feel great at the moment," said Chris. "One of the things I'm taking is natural chemo. It helps to get rid of the cancer and gives you certain proteins that your body might be missing or might not have lots of because of the cancer. It helps boost your immune system to fight the cancer."

Chris, who has been inspired by the help of her colleagues at Nestl Rowntree and the support of the public, said she desperately needed more funds to buy the treatments.

"I'm only taking what we can afford," she said: "It costs a lot of money and there are lots of different things to take, a teaspoonful of this and a few drops of that. Since I've been on this treatment plan I've really noticed a difference in myself. I feel a lot better."

Tickets for the cookery demonstration cost £3.50, with doors opening at 1.30pm for refreshments, and the demonstration taking place between 2pm and 3.30pm.

For tickets, phone Jean Boggan on 01904 415743, or Max Furnandiz on 01653 618873.

Updated: 09:30 Saturday, August 07, 2004