At the age of 70, many people are retired but Glenn Abbassi is still dashing round the world doing one of the most important jobs ever.

As a volunteer courier for bone marrow register Anthony Nolan, its her mission to travel thousands of miles transporting vital stem cells for seriously ill transplant patients.

So far, during seven years in her role, she has helped to save the lives of 264 people. She has travelled to four continents and more than 30 countries. She even spent last Christmas away from her family in China.

Speaking yesterday in support of a new Anthony Nolan campaign, she said: I wouldnt change it for the world. Every trip I embark on is as important as the next one.

Glenn, a former NHS complaints manager, explained how donated cells have to be with the recipient within 72 hours.

Getting back in time is a matter of life or death, she said.

The cells are used to treat a range of conditions, including cancer and blood disorders.

Glenns role is particularly poignant as her first husband Peter Davies was diagnosed with the blood disorder aplastic anaemia in 1977. He died three years later aged just 43.

She met her current husband Eddie, 68, a retired air conditioning engineer, a few years later when he flew to Britain from his homeland in Iran to donate his bone marrow to his brother.

They fell in love when Eddie lodged with her while his brother recovered.

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Amazing pensioner helps save 264 lives in 30 countries on four continents

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