Australia has lost a true hero, as James Harrison, the renowned blood donor known for saving over two million babies, has passed away at the age of 88.
Harrison, whose plasma carried the rare and invaluable Anti-D antibody, donated blood more than 1,100 times, significantly impacting maternal and infant health in Australia.
According to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Harrison died peacefully in his sleep on February 17 at a nursing home north of Sydney.
His selfless contributions to medical science earned him the title of the “Man with the Golden Arm.”
Harrison’s journey of generosity began at the age of 14 when he required multiple blood transfusions following lung surgery.
Deeply moved by the experience, he vowed to give back, beginning his plasma donations at 18 and continuing for more than six decades.
Despite the upper age limit for blood donors in Australia being 81, his impact remains immeasurable.
Stephen Cornelissen, CEO of Lifeblood, paid tribute to Harrison’s extraordinary commitment.
“James was a remarkable, stoically kind, and generous person who was committed to a lifetime of giving and he captured the hearts of many people around the world,” Cornelissen stated.
“James extended his arm to help others and babies he would never know a remarkable 1,173 times and expected nothing in return.”
Harrison’s contributions were particularly vital in preventing rhesus disease, a condition that arises when a pregnant woman with RhD-negative blood carries an RhD-positive baby.
The condition, which was once fatal to thousands of newborns in Australia, was significantly mitigated due to the Anti-D medication derived from his blood.
His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, reflected on her father’s humanitarian legacy.
“As an Anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations,” she said.
“He was also very proud to have saved so many lives, without any cost or pain. It made him happy to hear about the many families like ours, who existed because of his kindness.”
Before the discovery of Anti-D, Australia faced devastating consequences due to rhesus disease.
Jemma Falkenmire, from the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, previously explained the significance of Harrison’s blood.
“In Australia, up until about 1967, there were literally thousands of babies dying each year, doctors didn’t know why, and it was awful.
Women were having numerous miscarriages and babies were being born with brain damage,” she said.
“Australia was one of the first countries to discover a blood donor with this antibody, so it was quite revolutionary at the time.”
Harrison’s legacy has been cemented in Australian medical history, and his contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his impact on healthcare and countless lives will never be forgotten.
