JEANNE Harper is thought to be the oldest known bone marrow donor.

The 78-year-old let nothing stand in her way when her brother Peter Creasy needed help in his fight against leukemia.

After living with the illness for more than 10 years, Mr Creasy became seriously ill so his sister stepped in and underwent surgery to save his life.

"I said yes straight away to helping him," Mrs Harper, of Edgewood Drive, Orpington, said.

She added: "He's my little brother and it was a matter of life or death."

Tests revealed Mrs Harper was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant and she had to undergo fitness examinations to check her health.

The line dancing and salsa enthusiast said:"I owe my health to the dance classes I attend because, if I wasn't so fit, I would not have been able to help."

Her bone marrow donation last winter meant her 58 year-old brother made a recovery from the illness.

But Mr Creasy, from Yalding near Maidstone, became ill again this summer so Mrs Harper volunteered to help a second time by donating her much needed white blood cells.

Again Mrs Harper had to undergo a series of fitness examinations at Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, before she was allowed to donate.

Mr Creasy said: "My sister is so well for her age and doctors at the hospital were astounded at her fitness level.

"I had many other treatments like chemotherapy before my sister stepped in but nothing seemed to be helping me.

"She is a remarkable woman and I can't thank her enough for all she has done for me.

"I was diagnosed in 1996 but the last two years in particular have been really tough.

"My marriage broke down because of the strain my illness was causing."

He added: "Right now I am well and so is my sister and for that I couldn't be happier.

"So much happiness has come out of such pain.

"Life is so precious and I owe mine to my sister.

"She really is one in a million."