IT'S frightening that a case of new variant CJD has emerged so close to home.

Pretty 20-year-old Rachel Forber, from Newton-le-Willows, was recently diagnosed with the human form of mad cow disease, and her devastated parents were told she had only six months to a year to live.

But her amazing dad, Stephen, wouldn't accept the shattering news, and promised Rachel he'd find a tablet to make her better.

As a result of research on the Internet, he found a CDJ research specialist in America, who told him there were potential methods of treatment, but they had not been tried out.

Stephen volunteered Rachel for drug trials in San Francisco. She became the world's first human guinea pig and it's worked wonders.

It was a gamble Stephen was willing to take.

Now it seems Rachel, who was diagnosed after her legs buckled while on a shopping trip, could be on her way to getting better.

Let's hope so.

Isn't she lucky to have such a remarkable father? Most people told the bad news would have accepted that death was inevitable and made the last months as easy as possible.

Not Stephen. He was determined to fight for Rachel's life, despite the serious risks.

Now the courageous pair could have helped others who are still incubating the disease -- caught from infected beef -- unaware of the heartbreak to come.

It's still early days, but Rachel could be a pioneer for a desperately needed treatment.