For Jack Rosser it must really feel as though Christmas has come early.

His fight for a specialist cancer drug has been funded by benefactor – which could give Jack the gift of life for up to five more years.

The drug to fight his kidney cancer may not be licensed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) at the moment but by the time the three-month course of treatment comes to an end, Jack and his family hope it will have reversed its decision.

It will mean that the donation will give Jack a few more precious years with his loving family and allow them to enjoy a Christmas together thanks to the mystery donor.

While this is unbelievable news for the Rossers, it continues to highlight the fact that drugs which can prolong a person's life are being routinely denied by a system makes it so difficult for trusts to find the money to fund these really expensive drugs.

Why can't the drugs companies and NICE work out some formula whereby if a drug extends the life of a patient for a certain amount of time then it will pick up the bill.

But if drugs such as Sutent have no lasting effect, then the drugs company should waive any fees for the drug.

This way we get the best of outcomes for everyone – no-one minds paying for a drug which gives people like Jack the chance to have more quality time with his family – but if it fails then the drug companies that make millions of pounds should pick up the bill.

For people like Jack the problem is still a very real one and at a time when his efforts should be concentrated on fighting the illness which threatens him, the last thing he wants is all this uncertainty over a drug which could potentially extend his life.

But there is one Christmas card Jack and his family would love to send – to the anonymous donor who has simply given them the best present that they could wish for.

Whoever you are, thank you for making one family very, very happy at such a special time of year.