Business Editor Julia Breen meets Hazel Mynard, who overcame illness but then struggled to find a job.

Hazel Mynard was told to make her will and say her farewells to family and friends. In 2000, she was diagnosed with leukaemia and there was little hope of survival.

Ms Mynard was a successful career woman, working as a lecturer and then later for an independent television company.

Five years on, and following a life-saving bone marrow transplant from her sister, she began receiving Incapacity Benefit.

While she was fighting for her life, her company closed its North-East division and she was made redundant.

Since recovering, the 43-year-old has been turned down for every job she has applied for.

One employer told her she was too "high-risk" and he did not want to be responsible for making her ill again.

"I have survived leukaemia, I have fought for my life, seen the people around me in hospital die," she says.

"Now I just want the chance to live - and for me, working is part of living.

"I want to be a fully-functioning member of society, not seen as a scrounger or delinquent because I am on benefit."

Ms Mynard's phone calls to chase up applications for jobs are rarely returned, and because of dyslexia, she finds it difficult to get through aptitude tests, which means she is always ruled out for interview.

"If they could just meet me, see how much I want to work, see the woman I am and the talents I have, I think they would consider me," she says.

"But I can't even get through the door for an interview."

Ms Mynard, who before her illness was much in demand, has been looking for a job for nearly two years.

"People say this kind of discrimination doesn't happen, but it does. I have never been in a position before my illness where I couldn't even get an interview anywhere.

"I just want to be independent. I am proud of who I am and know how hard I work, but no one wants to take the risk of employing me."

Ms Mynard has lost five stones in weight since her illness began, but is confident she could do an office job.

After surviving leukaemia, chemotherapy and the harrowing bone marrow transplant that saved her life, Ms Mynard has taken health and safety courses, computer courses, and even small business courses in a bid to get back on the work ladder.

"I have certificates coming out of my ears," she says.

"But it doesn't make any difference when employers read 'leukaemia' and 'dyslexia' on my application form. So I can't spell very well, but I have managed for 40-odd years to get through my life, to go to Durham University when everyone said I was too stupid because they didn't know about dyslexia in those days.

"When I was lecturing, I used to stay up to the early hours of the morning making sure there was nothing which showed my dyslexia, so that I wouldn't be caught out.

"But now, after four years away from working, I have noticed everyone has these aptitude tests. They give you extra time if you are dyslexic to meet the Government criteria, but it doesn't matter if you have three hours - if you can't spell, you can't spell.

"I find it a struggle, and nowhere takes CVs anymore, so I have to hand write a different application form every time, which takes me a long, long time."

Ms Mynard estimates she has applied for more than 100 jobs in the past two years.

"I am an incredible asset. I can't believe I am sitting on the bench being idle because no one wants to employ me.

"I have skills and contacts, qualifications and enthusiasm."

Liz Reay, of Equality North East, said: "We are not looking for a sympathy vote from businesses. It's just that they can tap into a capable, diverse workforce that will enrich your business, by employing people from disadvantaged backgrounds."

Equality North East works towards tackling stereotyping and discrimination by educating businesses about the benefits of employing a diverse workforce, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, older people, returners to work, carers or anyone from other disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ms Reay said: "Unfortunately, businesses that are prepared to go the extra mile to employ these people are in the minority.

"Our awards are about celebrating those businesses. We don't care what their motivation is, whether it is financial or otherwise, we just want to see attitudes change. There is an amazing workforce out there that is not being utilised."

But for Ms Mynard, the future still looks bleak, although it does not diminish her enthusiasm.

"Before Christmas, I got really down - I hit rock bottom," she said.

"I felt that as far as the world was concerned, I was a problem, and I went through a very bad time. I think these awards are amazing and the companies that have the gumption and courage to employ disabled people should be rewarded.

"I came through all of this, fought for my life with a debilitating illness, and I know it sounds awful, but sometimes I wonder why.

"What a terrible thing to think - because the whole medical profession worked their socks off, God love them, to save my life. But part of that life was working.

"It was very important to me. I just want to have a job and be normal, to do the things that other people do, like go out for a meal, decorate my flat, or even go on holiday.

"I have just had the all-clear to fly, so I would love to go away. But I need someone to give me a chance, to see the person beyond the leukaemia and dyslexia."