Dying teen bids to fulfil baby wish

A BRITISH teenager who has been told he may have only three months to live has asked fertility experts to help his fiancée have his child.

Leukaemia patient Martin Black, 19, and his bride-to-be Susan Smith have had a consultation to receive IVF treatment although he accepted he will not live to see his baby.

They hoped to use sperm which was frozen before he had intensive chemotherapy treatment.

Martin, of Felling, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, yesterday said: "It means a lot to me. It will be a happy child and I feel I will have left my mark in the world."

He was diagnosed with the disease around three years ago, shortly after he started going out with Susan, also 19.

He was in remission for 18 months but fell ill again in January and two weeks' ago he was told he had a minimum of three months to live.

Susan, of Donwell, Washington, Tyne and Wear, said: "We have both decided on having a baby.

"They have asked us things like how the child would be looked after and how it would be supported with the situation we are in.

"But it is what we really want, I would not be saying that if it was not the case."

Martin, whose pride and joy is his gold Vauxhall Astra, added: "The family will help support Susan and the baby.

"It's always going to be a well-looked after baby."

Martin's devastated mother Gillian, who works at a local nursing home, said: "I felt my world was crumbling when I heard the news.

"When he was in remission that was great, then I was told a fortnight ago that it was terminal and I was absolutely gutted.

"I thought my world had ended."

Gillian, 48, has two daughters Samantha, 27, and Stephanie, 16, but no grandchildren yet.

"I am keeping my fingers crossed," she said. "If Susan has a baby, nobody could ever replace Martin but it would be nice to remember him by. The baby would definitely know his dad, we all would make sure of that."

Gillian said Susan was a "lovely lass" who had been by her son's side during his frequent hospital visits.

The couple have planned a large wedding at Gateshead Civic Centre and Martin is trying to enjoy each day to the full.

His mother added: "He wants to get out and do things, he cannot sit still.

"He is not a drinker, he doesn't smoke and doesn't take drugs he is a lovely person, always thinking of other people, even now."

His family has organised a series of events in aid of Leukaemia Research and the teenage cancer unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Martin's sister Samantha said yesterday: "It is really tough for our family but it helps to be doing something about it to keep us all occupied."