James Harrison, an Australian icon and one of the most prolific blood donors globally, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and a life-saving contribution to medicine.
A Life of Sacrifice: James Harrison, Heroic Blood Donor, Passes Away at 88
A Life of Sacrifice: James Harrison, Heroic Blood Donor, Passes Away at 88
Tribute to the "man with the golden arm" whose rare antibody saved countless lives
James Harrison, known as the "man with the golden arm," died peacefully in his sleep at a nursing home in New South Wales on February 17, at the age of 88. A steadfast blood donor, Harrison's unique blood plasma, rich in the rare antibody Anti-D, has been credited with saving over 2 million babies from hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).
Harrison began his journey as a blood donor after receiving life-saving transfusions following major chest surgery at the age of 14. Committed to giving back, he started donating plasma every two weeks at 18 and continued until age 81, holding the world record for blood plasma donations until 2022. His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, reflected on his pride in saving lives, stating, "He always said it does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own."
Before the advent of anti-D interventions in the mid-1960s, HDFN had a devastating mortality rate, with half of affected babies not surviving. Although fewer than 200 anti-D donors exist in Australia, they support approximately 45,000 mothers and babies every year. As a new frontier in medicine, Lifeblood has partnered with Australia’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to replicate Harrison’s antibodies in the lab, with the goal of expanding treatment options for pregnant women globally. Lifeblood's research director, David Irving, emphasized the ongoing quest to create a lab-derived anti-D therapy, illuminating the crucial need for ongoing donations. Harrison's selflessness and dedication to altruism will be remembered and honored by those whose lives he impacted through his extraordinary blood donations.
Harrison began his journey as a blood donor after receiving life-saving transfusions following major chest surgery at the age of 14. Committed to giving back, he started donating plasma every two weeks at 18 and continued until age 81, holding the world record for blood plasma donations until 2022. His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, reflected on his pride in saving lives, stating, "He always said it does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own."
Before the advent of anti-D interventions in the mid-1960s, HDFN had a devastating mortality rate, with half of affected babies not surviving. Although fewer than 200 anti-D donors exist in Australia, they support approximately 45,000 mothers and babies every year. As a new frontier in medicine, Lifeblood has partnered with Australia’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to replicate Harrison’s antibodies in the lab, with the goal of expanding treatment options for pregnant women globally. Lifeblood's research director, David Irving, emphasized the ongoing quest to create a lab-derived anti-D therapy, illuminating the crucial need for ongoing donations. Harrison's selflessness and dedication to altruism will be remembered and honored by those whose lives he impacted through his extraordinary blood donations.
