Brave blogger's ovation at awards

Gong winner's DadChris Gaynor

Stricken journo-blogger Adrian Sudbury scooped yet another award for his Baldy's blog - which informs everyone about his rare form of the deadly disease leukaemia.

The 26-year-old, who has weeks to live, received a standing ovation when his proud parents picked up the prize on his behalf when they attended the Press Gazette ceremony last week.

Sudbury was named multimedia journalist of the year in the Regional Press Awards.

He was too ill to attend, but addressed the packed audience with a pre-recorded video message.

Writing in his blog after the awards, he said: "In our industry this is a huge accolade and it's one I'm absolutely delighted to receive."

Speaking at the awards, which were posted on the popular video website Youtube, and Mr Sudbury's blog, (details below) his father urged people to visit his son's blog and sign a petition to make it compulsory for all sixth form students in England and Wales to learn about Bone Marrow Donation.

Sudbury made a plea a few weeks ago directly to the PM, urging him to help him get more people to come forward and donate Bone Marrow for dying cancer sufferers.

He decided not to have any more treatment, determined to educate people about the myths of donating Bone Marrow before he passes away.

He took his case to the top of the political tree, met PM Gordon Brown in No 10 to discuss what more can be done by MPs to give greater information on being a bone marrow donor.

Writing in his blog, the Huddersfield journalist/blogger, who was diagnosed with the disease a year ago, said: " I have one last little mission before I die.

I'm determined to try and educate more people about what it is like to be a bone marrow donor."

Germany apparently has one of the best bone marrow donorship in the world he said.

He goes on to say that 7000 adults and children in the UK who are waiting to find a match.

He added: "The problem is people think it is some horrific procedure and I want to show as many people as possible that it is not like that."

He was interviewed on the BBCs Breakfast programme the same week and said it was a personal decision not to continue having treatment for the disease.

He said: "You have to weigh up the quality of life argument, with all the drug treatments."

And added: "At the moment, I am fine. I will deteriorate, but I'm fine for now."

The cancer apparently breaks down red blood cells, which help the immune system to stay strong - a bit like HIV Aids.

People become very weak with the disease.

Sudbury won the best medical/health issues webblog award in 2007.

Read his emotive blog here: http://baldyblog.freshblogs.co.uk/.

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