NEW dad John Marland is living life to the full after the birth of his daughter, Evie.

But six years ago John was battling for his survival after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

He was so ill that doctors told him that he would die unless he had a bone marrow transplant.

Now aged 26, the former Smithills School pupil is enjoying family life and a high-flying career.

John said: "I was a student at Newcastle University studying chemical engineering when I was diagnosed with leukaemia.

"It was gut-wrenching. Looking back, it is difficult to quantify the feelings that I felt when I was told the news."

John was just 20 when he went to the doctor with bruising to his legs.

Soon afterwards he was undergoing intense treatment at the world-renowned cancer hospital, Christie's.

It meant leaving behind all his friends at university and spending months at a time in isolation following chemotherapy.

Now living in Wimbledon, with his mum and dad still in the Smithills area, he returned to Christie's with his wife, Jennifer, and nine-month-old daughter for a reunion with nurses and medics.

The hospital has just celebrated its 1,000th bone marrow transplant.

More than 200 former patients turning up to mark the life-saving milestone.

It was a chance for John to swap his survival story with fellow transplant patients and to catch up with those who nursed him through his ordeal.

John, a chemical engineer who designs oil rigs for an American company, said: "I just believe that I have been very lucky and I loved showing Evie off to everyone at the party.

"It has been five years since I was given the all-clear which is a bit of a milestone for me.

"I think it is important that people realise that there is hope out there. It can be very depressing but you just get on with it.

"You have to believe in yourself and never give up hope."

Patients turned up from across the world and included members of the Bolton Support Group who have raised thousands of pounds for Christie's over the years.

Dr Raj Chopra, director of the adult leukaemia unit, said: "We are really proud to boast our 1,000th bone marrow transplant.

"To be able to help a patient survive such a serious illness and then go on to live life to the full is so rewarding.

"All credit goes to the staff who work at the unit for their great skill and dedication in treating and caring for the patients."

CHRISTIE HOSPITAL FACTFILE

Hospital world firsts include pioneering work into the use of cultured bone marrow for leukaemia treatment in 1986.

It pioneered the use of stem cells from a single blood sample to protect from the effects of treatment in 1991.

The hospital was one of the first in the country to introduce "mini transplants" which allow the patient to receive limited amounts of chemotherapy treatment and enable a transplant from a compatible family to be undertaken safely.