A YOUNG woman blinded and near death after a severe allergic reaction to a swine flu drug is to repay the hospital that saved her life.

Sam Millard, 20, will hold a party for the burns unit and ICU at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.

The Bicester Community College student took the drug Tamiflu for suspected swine flu on advice from NHS Direct.

She took just three tablets before she suffered an allergic reaction that led to blisters on her scalp, mouth, lungs and throat.

Within hours 72 hours she developed life-threatening Stevens Johnson syndrome and was put on a life support machine.

Her reaction to the drugs developed into toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, known as tens. She later discovered she was the first person to survive such a severe case.

Later tests also showed she never had swine flu.

Now 15 months on, Miss Millard, of Purslane Drive, Bicester, wants to say thank you to the hospital that saved her life.

She and sister Charley Dale, 24, will hold the party on August 12, at the Ex-Services Club, Sheep Street, Bicester.

Revellers are urged to turn up in clothes from the 60s to the 90s. The family are also urging businesses to donate prizes for a raffle.

Miss Millard said they decided to organise the fundraiser because of how well the ICU and burns unit had looked after her and because the hospital’s charity had helped her mum Debbie by paying for a place for her to stay.

She added: “It meant while I was in a coma she was able to stay close.

“We have been talking about doing something for a long time but I haven’t been well enough until now.”

She said: “I’m getting better, my skin has not fully healed and I’ve got vision problems – I can see some bright colours.

“They are trying botox on my eyes at the moment because my eyelids are folding in. But it is very painful.”

For tickets, which cost £6, or to donate a raffle prize call 01869 328996