The family of a 17-year-old girl who died of leukemia after her insurance company refused to pay for an operation, has lent its support to the Edwards campaign, saying the Democratic presidential candidate is the only one who will fight insurance companies.

The family of Nataline Sarkisyan, a 17-year-old girl who died of leukemia late last year, joined Democrat John Edwards in New Hampshire on Sunday, to tell an audience of about 500 people of their heart-breaking loss and their anger with the health insurance industry.

The girl contracted leukemia when she was 14. She was treated with chemotherapy under her father’s health insurance plan. As the leukemia returned last summer, Nataline received a bone marrow transplant from her older brother Bedig.

The operation was not successful though, as there were complications and her liver failed. A liver transplant became necessary. Cigna HealthCare stated that the treatment was too risky and not covered by her policy and initially refused to fund the operation.

“Cigna HealthCare ruled that the treatment was ‘experimental’ because of the leukemia and not covered by her policy,” said a statement from the Edwards campaign, reports Reuters. It added that the teenage girl’s family would have had to pay $75,000 for an operation.

Cigna eventually reversed its decision, only it was too late; Nataline died the same day. The doctors treating her told both the Sarkisyan family and Cigna that patients with a similar condition have a 65% chance of living six months if they receive a liver transplant, according to media reports. A liver was even available for transplant, should Cigna had approved and paid for the procedure, the Sarkisyans said.

“My heart is a hole. I didn't know any insurance company ... (could be so) careless,” mother Hilda Sarkisyan was quoted by Reuters as saying.

“I haven't cried. I can't cry. It's very difficult ... I want to thank Sen. John Edwards and I wish you the best and I hope you become our president,” she said.

Both she and her husband urged voters to choose Edwards, as the only candidate willing to attack corporate interests.

Edwards added a subtle jab at fellow Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, noting that a negotiator is not enough. “What kind of fighter do you need on your side when your family is faced with this kind of crisis,” he said.

“Do you want somebody who has the right ideas and philosophy, or do you want somebody who has the right ideas and philosophy and the fight to bring about change because that's what this is about,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

A nominating vote is to take place Tuesday in New Hampshire; Edwards is currently stalling behind rivals Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the state.