Fans and friends alike have a chance to show their support now, with the humour and warmth Iain Banks has always been famous for.

BBC: 'Iain Banks' bad news travels fast'

Luxuriating again in the warmth of his people's support, and in being once more at the centre of affairs, Mr Arafat is said to be confident that Israel will not act on its decision to remove him, so long as America says no.

ECONOMIST: Yasser Arafat under threat: But it's not time yet to kiss good-bye | The

While many patients now seek support through online chat rooms, face-to-face groups have the advantage of "the warmth and closeness that can develop when people interact on a personal level, " says Ruth Diab Lederer, a program manager at the American Brain Tumor Association.

WSJ: Giving More Support to Support-Group Leaders

"The messages and the outpouring of support from the communities of Denbigh, Caerwys and Wrexham have been incredible, we have been so touched by the warmth of feeling from his many friends, " said Mr Gallagher's father.

BBC: Ian Gallagher