A WEYMOUTH man battling cancer has proposed to his girlfriend to celebrate the news that he is now in remission.

Grant Holford, 26, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia in December last year, together with a rare condition called Philadelphia chromosome disorder.

He was given the ‘all clear’ on November 13. Four days later he became engaged to his girlfriend, Lauren Bush.

Grant, who is a drummer in local band Tripod, said: “We had been together seven years and I just thought when I got the all clear results it was a good time to do it.

“I wrote her a poem and gave her six roses in the morning. I gave her the seventh rose when I gave her the ring and the poem.”

Lauren, 24, from Portland, said it was a huge relief when the couple were told Grant had entered remission.

She said: “It just takes that weight off your shoulders. We haven’t got that hanging over us anymore.”

As part of his treatment, Grant required a bone marrow transplant. A lack of matches in the UK meant Grant had to look elsewhere.

Lauren said: “We ended up with someone from Germany. There was no one in the UK and the donor from Germany still wasn’t a perfect match.

“It was a huge relief.”

Earlier this year, drummers united in a live radio fundraiser to raise more than £600 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

The couple said they were grateful for support shown from everyone.

Lauren said: “All the staff at all three hospitals were brilliant. Our thanks go to friends and family for their support and all those who took part in the fundraising event.”

Grant said: “It’s been great having all my friends and family being there for me.

“We had lots of help from the Steve Charles Help a Friend fund. They have been really good.”

The Steve Charles Help a Friend fund has helped the couple and Grant’s family with transportation costs.

Lauren said: “For the first three months of treatment he was in Poole Hospital. I live on Portland and most of Grant’s family live in Weymouth.

“I was doing four to five times a week at least and it wasn’t cheap.”

Grant said he is now looking forward to organising his own fundraising event once he is back at full strength.

He said: “I feel as I did before normally but I haven’t got much of an immune system at the minute.

“I’m just waiting for it to rebuild before I can go back to work.”