In April, 1987 the New Zealander was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a blood disorder similar to leukaemia in which the body's bone marrow does not make enough new cells.

The now-Corlette resident was told he needed a bone marrow transplant if he was to live more than 12 months.

His older brother Paul was his only sibling with the correct blood type and DNA to be a donor. So he answered the call, travelling to Auckland where the procedure took place, with Peter's 19-year-old fiance Adele waiting anxiously.

After undergoing debilitating chemotherapy, Peter's body accepted Paul's cells and the result was a gradual but full recovery.

The young couple left the hospital knowing their chances of conceiving children after Peter had endured such intensive chemotherapy, were miniscule.

But the couple defied the odds to have and rear two beautiful daughters, Jessie, now 18, and Shamaine, now 13.

But in April last year Peter was again diagnosed with aplastic anemia.

"We thought, this can not be happening again," Adele said.

"The first time we felt invincible, we were kids really...but this time we had kids, and a life."

Again Peter would call on Paul, now 50.

In November Peter went into Westmead Hospital in Sydney for another dose of chemotherapy and a life-saving injection, this time of stem cells, from his older brother.

It was then the family received accommodation and overwhelming support from the Leukaemia Foundation.

They have chosen to share their story as a way of promoting the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave event which runs from today through until Saturday.

Before the procedure Peter's blunt but loving message to his brother was, "you better have good cells bro."

And he did.

Peter's body accepted Paul's stem cells and his own blood counts rose almost immediately.

Peter said both times he was faced with the disease he had to find a new motivation.

"At 23 I had my whole life ahead to live," he said.

"Now 22 years later I have a life and a family I want to live for."

To support Adele's fundraising efforts for the Leukaemia Foundation, check the Just Shave It campaign site through the World's Greatest Shave website.