HE campaigned hard for dying kidney cancer patients to receive a drug which will help prolong their lives - refusing to pay for the drug for himself on principle until it was available on the NHS to all who needed it.

But now sutent is available on the NHS in Wales, Chris Lewis of Orchard Rise, Pwllmeyric, said it is “ironic” that the provision which will be his legacy has failed to give him any extra time.

The 55-year-old has taken two courses of sutent since June. But after visiting Velindre Hospital, Cardiff, on Monday, he was told it has failed to reduce the tumours in his body and he now only has months to live.

Mr Lewis was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in May 2008.

At the time, he refused to take sutent- which prolongs lives by between six months and two years- because a postcode lottery that meant not everyone in Wales could receive it.

He took his fight to the Asembly, and in January it was announced that all health boards in Wales will fund sutent- which costs £19,000 a year for each patient- along with three other drugs.

After the announcement, Mr Lewis took two courses of the drug. But scans revealed the tumours have grown through his spine and there are spots on his lungs.

While sutent could possibly have helped him if he'd taken it earlier, Mr Lewis is confident the drug will give life to thousands of others.

“I refused it until everyone was treated equally,” he said.

“The drug wasn’t for me and my life’s coming to an end. But the battle was won for everyone and it should give so much more life in the future.”

The cancer has paralysed Mr Lewis’ spine and left him confined to bed and a wheelchair.

He said he will spend his last months at home with wife Caroline, son Chris, 33, his five grandchildren and friends around him.