A LEUKAEMIA victim who inspired a campaign to encourage people from ethnic minorities to give bone marrow is fighting for life after her donor failed a medical test.

Bhupinder Nanua, 28, was all set for the life-saving operation using bone marrow donated by a volunteer in America.

However at the last minute the donor failed a medical.

Boxing champion Harry Dhami, of Trinity Road, Gravesend, attended the launch of the appeal to encourage people from ethnic minorities to register as bone marrow donors after being inspired by Bhupinders original struggle to find a donor.

Bhupinder, whose sister, Jaz Jandar, used to work for Gravesham Council needs a donor from among the ethnic community who matches her rare tissue type or she will die within weeks.

Mrs Jandar said: Bhupinder was absolutely gutted when she got the news. Shes coping okay but she is still very poorly.

She was all geared up for the operation early in January and the donor failing the medical along with the treatment Bhupinder has been getting, has meant she is now very sick.

Last week the News Shopper supported an appeal launched jointly by leukaemia charity, the Anthony Nolan Trust, Gravesham Ethnic Health Forum and North West Kent Racial Equality Council.

British welterweight champion Harry Dhami was delighted to lend his support and said at the time: Two weeks ago I was fighting for my title, now I want to help people fight for their lives by encouraging fellow Asians to register as donors, especially men aged between 18 and 40.

The Anthony Nolan Trust has released an emergency number for anyone who might be able to help Bupinder.

They should call 020 7284 1234.

And anyone interested in joining the donor list can apply.

All they have to do is call the Anthony Nolan Trust on 0901 88 22 34 (calls cost 25p) or visit their website on www.anthonynolan.com