The world’s most prolific blood donor, whose plasma saved the lives of more than 2.4 million babies, has died in Australia.
James Harrison “generously” donated his plasma almost 1,200 times from 1954 until 2018 and was known as the “man with the golden arm”.
Described as a “humanitarian” who was “proud” to have saved so many lives, he died aged 88 at a nursing home, according to his family.
Born in New South Wales, Mr Harrison was “determined to give back” after receiving many lifesaving transfusions following lung surgery when he was 14.
His plasma was found to contain a rare antibody which was then used to develop medicine to prevent newborns dying from Rhesus disease.
The medicine, anti-D, is given to pregnant mothers whose rhesus negative blood is at risk of attacking the baby’s rhesus positive blood.
During more than 60 years of donating blood, Mr Harrison never missed an appointment, said Australian Red Cross Lifeblood – and he holds the Guinness World Record for the number of donations.
When he stopped donating in 2018 because he had passed the age limit, he said he would still give blood if he was allowed.
File pic: Subel Bhandari/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, said: “James was a humanitarian at heart, but also very funny.
“As an anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations.
“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.
“He always said it does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own.”
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Australian Red Cross Lifeblood chief executive Stephen Cornelissen said Mr Harrison was “committed to a lifetime of giving”.
“It was James’ belief that his donations were no more important than any other donor’s and that everyone can be special in the same way that he was.”
He added: “James extended his arm to help others and babies he would never know a remarkable 1,173 times and expected nothing in return.”
Lifeblood said Mr Harrison’s blood “may continue to save lives” as researchers are working with his and other donors’ plasma to grow the rare antibody in laboratory conditions.
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