A LEIGH woman's fight is continuing as she tries to help a Ukrainian leukaemia victim who has been refused NHS treatment because she holds the wrong passport.

Diana Andrusjak, 46, of Eva Street, is waiting for an 11th hour glimmer of hope as family friend Halyna Zarvanska lies dying in a hospital bed.

Mrs Zarvanska has been under the care of doctors for the past 11 weeks after a spell of being cared for at home.

But because Britain does not have a health care agreement with the Ukraine, the 31-year-old cannot be given vital chemotherapy -- unless she pays thousands of pounds for it first. The non-English speaking woman became so ill that an ambulance had to be called to take her to the Royal Bolton Hospital for emergency treatment which the family is not charged for under UK rules.

But her parents-in-law, who are pensioners, were told it was likely they would have to foot the bill if the treatment is stepped up -- a sum they say they cannot afford.

Mrs Andrusjak is today making a fresh appeal for people to help fund the cost of Mrs Zarvanska's treatment.

So far more than £500 has been collected to go towards her medical bills.

Since she was admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital, Mrs Zarvanska's weight has plummeted and hospital staff are working hard to stabilise her temperature and remove liquid from her lungs.

Her ill health has prompted her husband, Alex, to fly to Bolton to be near his wife.

Mrs Andrusjak said: "It's a terribly desperate situation. Alex and her family have their hands tied. There is nothing more than can do but they are thankful the hospital staff have been so nice. If it wasn't for them, Halyna wouldn't have a chance.

"She doesn't want to go for treatment in the Ukraine because she said it would be second best. Halyna is just crying for help."

Mrs Zarvanska collapsed in September while visiting her husband's relatives in Bolton with her nine-year-old daughter Victoria.

She has been suffering from Hodgkins Disease for eight years but was cleared to travel to Britain by Ukrainian doctors.

Mrs Andrusjak, who is originally from Poland and speaks seven languages, stepped in to help.

The mother-of four added: "She only came to Bolton to see her friends and was looking forward to a bit of pampering from her relatives. But then she collapsed and it all backfired.

"She desperately needs chemotherapy and we are still hoping something can be worked out."

A spokeswoman for the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "The NHS does not generally give free treatment to people from the Ukraine who are not permanent residents in the UK other than those who are admitted to hospital as emergencies to receive stabilising treatment.

"Mrs Zarvanska was admitted as an emergency to the Royal Bolton Hospital in October for stabilising and is still poorly."