Nicola Norris, right, with her friend Angela Martin 17363/3A MOTHER-OF-TWO battling an incurable blood cancer has vowed to stay positive for her children.

Nicola Norris, 38, has been diagnosed with the rare cancer myeloma, which attacks plasma cells in the blood.

The cancer has no known cure and causes damage to the body's immune system, leaving her at constant risk of infection.

Mrs Norris, of Paxcroft Way, Trowbridge, is undergoing chemotherapy, but is waiting to hear whether the Royal United Hospital, Bath, will fund a stronger drug, which could pave the way for a bone marrow transplant.

Without the transplant she could only have a few years to live, but even if it goes ahead there is no guarantee of success.

Loved ones have rallied around the brave mum, including close friend Angela Martin, 39, who has organised a black-tie ball in the Civic Hall, Trowbridge, on June 24 to raise £10,000 for research into the disease.

Mrs Norris said the hardest part was explaining the cancer to her children Rebecca, 10 and Lee, seven.

"I do think why me? It was hard to tell my children and I tried to make it as simple as possible," she said. "It is very hard for them to understand. Whatever question they have had I have explained it.

"It was quite a bombshell but you have to come to terms with it.

"At the moment I can't pick the children up from school as I might pick up an infection.

"I am not ready to give in to it at all. I am only 38, I thought I was going to live to 100."

Myeloma affects 14,000 people in the UK and accounts for only one per cent of all cancer cases.

Mrs Norris was diagnosed in November, forcing her to cancel a family holiday to Australia.

Specialist haematologists in Bristol and Bath are attempting to reduce the cancerous cells through chemotherapy to make a bone marrow transplant possible.

A decision has not been made on whether Mrs Norris will be given the chemotherapy drug Velcade, normally only given to patients to alleviate their condition.

Tests carried out on her brother showed he would not be a potential donor match and if a transplant were to be carried out Mrs Norris would face six weeks of isolation at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

Mrs Martin, 39, who chose her friend as a godparent for her daughter Alice, seven, said she wanted to organise the ball as a way of showing support.

"What spurred me to do this was because I couldn't do anything to help. I felt useless," she said. "This is way for people who know Nic to get together and show support."

Profits from the ball will go to the International Myeloma Foundation. Tickets cost £25 each and include a four-course meal and live band.Call (01225) 764731.