Additional Coverage:
James Harrison, Australian Blood Donor Hero, Dies at 88
Sydney, Australia – James Harrison, whose rare blood antibody saved an estimated two million Australian babies, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 17th. He was 88 years old. Harrison, known as “the man with the golden arm,” donated blood and plasma an astounding 1,173 times over six decades, a feat unlikely to be surpassed.
Harrison’s remarkable journey began with a life-saving blood transfusion he received at age 14. A decade later, doctors discovered his blood contained a rare antibody crucial for creating anti-D, a medication preventing Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN).
Despite a fear of needles, Harrison began donating blood in 1954, driven by a desire to give back. He continued donating regularly until his retirement in 2018 at the age of 81.
His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, a recipient of anti-D herself, expressed her family’s profound gratitude, stating, “Our family may not have existed without his precious donations.” She recalled her father’s pride in his selfless contributions and his belief that “the life you save could be your own.”
Harrison’s legacy extends beyond the countless lives he touched. His blood is now being used in research to develop a lab-grown version of the anti-D antibody, potentially revolutionizing HDFN prevention globally. Lifeblood Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cornelissen praised Harrison’s “incredible” legacy and thanked him for his life-saving contributions to the Australian community.