Mar 04, 2025 12:00:00

[Obituary] James Harrison, the 'man with the golden arm' who saved over 2.4 million babies, dies

It has been revealed that James Harrison, Australia's biggest blood donor, passed away on February 17, 2025 at the age of 88. Mr Harrison's blood contains special antibodies, and he donated blood 1,173 times over 50 years, saving the lives of more than 2.4 million babies.

Blood donor James Harrison, who saved 2 million babies, has died : NPR

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/03/nx-s1-5316163/james-harrison-blood-donor

'Man with the Golden Arm': James Harrison, who saved more than 2 million babies, dies | news.com.au — Australia's leading news site

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/man-with-the-golden-arm-countrys-most-prolific-blood-donor-dies-aged-88/news-story/78470c483e92934defb3d549f9b0279c

When he was 14 years old, Harrison had one of his lungs removed due to illness, and he decided to donate blood as a way of giving back to the people he had received a transfusion of about seven liters of blood during that operation. In 1954, when he turned 18, the legal age for donating blood, he began donating blood.

About 10 years after he started donating blood, Harrison's blood was found to contain a special antibody, which allowed scientists to use his blood to produce anti-D human immunoglobulin , a substance used to prevent Rh blood type incompatibility.

Since the approval of anti-D human immunoglobulin in 1967, over 3 million doses of medicine containing Harrison's blood have been distributed to Australian mothers, saving the lives of 2.4 million babies. In recognition of his achievements, Harrison was given the nickname 'The Man with the Golden Arm' and was awarded the Order of the Golden Arm by the Australian Government in 1999.

In accordance with Australian law that prohibits people over the age of 81 from donating blood, he made his final blood donation in 2018. At his final donation, he lamented his forced retirement, saying 'I would like to continue donating blood if it is allowed,' and also said of his own record of 1,173 blood donations, 'I hope someone will break it.'

Grandpa with golden arms who saved 2.4 million babies with blood donation completes last blood donation in his life - GIGAZINE

In Australia, there are about 200 people with special antibodies like Mr. Harrison who donate blood, saving about 45,000 mothers and babies every year. Because antibodies are rare and there is a limit to the number of people who can donate blood regularly, Australia's oldest research institute, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, is working with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, which manages blood donations, to conduct research on how to artificially synthesize antibodies.