Prolific blood donor who saved 2.4 million babies dies at 88

James Harrison, an Australian blood donor, has passed away at 88. His plasma donations saved over 2.4 million babies from a deadly blood disorder called haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN).

Harrison’s blood contained a rare antibody, Anti-D, which is used to make medication for pregnant mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies. He donated his plasma every two weeks for over 60 years, earning him the nickname “the man with the golden arm.”

Harrison’s daughter, Tracey Mellowship, said her father was proud to have saved so many lives without any cost or pain. Two of Harrison’s grandchildren are also recipients of anti-D immunisations.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is working to replicate Harrison’s antibodies in the lab, hoping to create a lab-made anti-D therapy to help pregnant women worldwide.