A LEADING Wrexham councillor has revealed he is fighting a life or death battle with cancer.
But Mark Pritchard has vowed it will be “business as usual” with his council work for as long as possible.
Cllr Pritchard, 49, represents Esclusham for the Independents and is lead member for housing.
He was diagnosed with cancer of the bowel just four weeks ago and, until now, has told only his family and friends of his illness.
But he said: “The doctors have given me a 50/50 chance of beating this and I intend to do just that.”
Cllr Pritchard is going public with his grim news to let constituents know that although he will be undergoing extensive treatment, he will continue to represent them to the best of his ability.
Recalling how he discovered he had the disease, Cllr Pritchard said: “I have not felt ill or had any symptoms at all, apart from passing a little blood.
“I told my wife Deborah and she made an appointment for me to see the doctor.
“I saw my GP and was referred to a specialist at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
“It was there I had it confirmed I have bowel cancer.
“I was devastated when I heard - it was just surreal - and so were all my family.
“I was referred for specialist cancer treatment to Christie Hospital in Manchester, where I have been going for various tests.
“Starting from just after Christmas I will be having a four-month course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Christie’s.
“I will then have to have an operation to remove the tumour.”
Cllr Pritchard, a self-employed businessman, began as an Esclusham community councillor 15 years ago and was elected to the borough council a few years later.
He has three children - Adam, 26, Hayley, 24, and 10-year-old Thomas - and a two-year-old grandson, Liam.
He added: “Christmas has been cancelled for me because of this but it is still business as usual at the moment, both with my own company servicing air-conditioning systems which I run from home, and my work on the council, which I love.
“For the past week I have been on the new ‘wonder’ drug AZD2171, which is still on trial and works by cutting off the blood supply to the tumour.
“Since I told my friends and political colleagues about the cancer I have been receiving all kinds of messages of support, which is a great help to me.
“I am now speaking about this to the Leader because I want my constituents to know what is happening and to get the message across that, despite the illness, I will continue representing them as best I can.
“I am not going to give up. I have some fantastic family and friends who will help me get through it.”