COURAGEOUS Gail Hepworth today celebrates staying alive - two years after being diagnosed as suffering from terminal bone cancer.

And she has met up for the first time with Yasmin Heesom, the York multiple sclerosis victim who was inspired by Gail's example to travel to New York for complementary therapy.

Gail, of Hemingbrough, near Selby, whose condition improved enormously after visiting the Schachter Centre in 1999, said she was "thrilled" to hear of Yasmin's progress during her treatment there this spring.

And she said she shared Yasmin's dream of setting up a similar clinic in North Yorkshire, so that others could benefit in the same way.

The Evening Press, whose readers helped both women raise thousands of pounds to go to America, set up the pair's meeting at Yasmin's home off Fulford Road.

They discussed the startling similarities between their experiences, despite having different illnesses.

Both women were wracked by terrible pain before they went, making sleep impossible. Both returned with vast reductions in their pain and able to sleep through the night again, and a range of other similar improvements in their conditions.

Gail's husband, David, said today marked another major milestone for his wife in her courageous battle against cancer.

"Two years ago, she was diagnosed with extensive secondary bone metastases from primary breast cancer and she wasn't expected to live for more than three months," he said.

"Gail has enjoyed a further two years. Although the disease is progressing in her bones and there are good days and bad days, Gail maintains she is happy in herself and in the main enjoys a good quality of life.

"Gail and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the big-hearted Evening Press readers for their kind generosity and letters of support in what has been a very difficult and emotional period."

He especially thanked fundraising co-ordinators Derek and Tracey Whetton, the Evening Press for its sensitive handling of Gail's story and also GNER, which had continued to support her with rail travel on trips to London for treatment.

He said Gail had also discovered a "wonderful place" called the Odyssey Centre, in Barton-upon-Humber, where she went for holistic treatment.

"The main philosophy Gail adheres to is treating the disease mind, body and spirit," he said.

"Gail still believes that a positive outlook has been a major factor."

Gail said: "Cancer's living with me. I'm not dying of cancer."

Updated: 12:04 Friday, July 06, 2001