Australian whose blood saved 2.4 million babies dies

James Harrison, the Australian blood donor affectionately known as the "Man with the Golden Arm," has passed away at the age of 88. Harrison's extraordinary legacy is marked by his incredible generosity and dedication to saving lives through his blood and plasma donations. Over his lifetime, he donated plasma more than 1,100 times, saving the lives of 2.4 million babies.

Harrison's journey as a blood donor began in 1954 when he was just 18 years old. After undergoing lung surgery at the age of 14 and receiving multiple blood transfusions, he was inspired to give back to those who had helped save his life. Encouraged by his father, who was also a regular blood donor, Harrison made his first donation and continued to donate regularly for more than six decades until his retirement in 2018 at the age of 81.

Harrison's blood contained a rare antibody known as Anti-D, which is used to make life-saving medication for mothers at risk of passing on deadly antibodies to their unborn babies. This rare and precious antibody made his donations invaluable, and his commitment to donating plasma every fortnight earned him international recognition.

Throughout his life, Harrison's unwavering generosity and dedication to saving lives captured the hearts of many people around the world. He was known for his stoic kindness and sense of humor, and he continued to donate even in his darkest days, including after the death of his wife Barbara, who was also a blood donor.

Harrison's daughter, Tracey Mellowship, remembered her father as a humanitarian at heart with a great sense of humor. She expressed her gratitude for his precious donations, which helped save her own life and the lives of countless others. Lifeblood Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cornelissen paid tribute to Harrison, highlighting his remarkable impact and the millions of lives he saved.

Harrison's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of blood donors. His hope was that one day, someone in Australia would beat his donation record. As the world mourns the loss of this incredible individual, his life-saving contributions will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.

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