By Patrick Book
Updated January 31, 2008 - 7:25am

Colorectal cancer patients are extending gratitude to the government, now that the Saskatchewan Party has announced it will fully fund the life-prolonging drug Avastin.

Bengough resident Keith Whyte has been pushing for the province to fund the drug. Up until a year ago -- when he ran out of money -- he was paying for the drug himself, at a cost of $2,000 a month. But he admits these are the things you live with when you have cancer.

"You have to learn to smile, have courage, and learn to battle...really battle," he said at Wednesday's announcement. "You also have to learn to have a cancer sense of humour."

Whyte says Avastin has greatly aided his cancer fight. No longer is he just living month to month, but he's enjoying time with his family as well.