James Harrison, the "Golden Arm," Saves Millions of Babies, Passes Away at 88

James Harrison, the "Man with the Golden Arm," Passes Away at 88

James Harrison, a man whose blood donations helped save the lives of over 2 million babies, has passed away at the age of 88. Known as the "man with the golden arm," Harrison's blood contained a rare antibody that was used to create a lifesaving medication called Anti-D. This medication is given to mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies.

Harrison began donating blood in 1954 at the age of 18 and continued regularly until his retirement in 2018 at the age of 81. During his lifetime, he donated blood over 1,100 times. His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, remembers him as a generous soul with a wonderful sense of humor.

"He was also very proud to have saved so many lives, without any cost or pain," she said. "He always said it does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own."

Harrison's rare antibodies were crucial in developing Anti-D, the treatment that has protected millions of newborns from Rhesus disease. This condition occurs when a pregnant woman's blood attacks her unborn baby's red blood cells, potentially leading to brain damage or even death.

"James was a pioneer of our Anti-D programme," said Lifeblood, the Australian Red Cross blood donation service. "More than 3 million doses of Anti-D containing James' blood have been issued to Aussie mothers with a negative blood type since 1967."

Harrison's legacy is one of remarkable generosity and kindness. He leaves behind a world where countless families have been blessed with healthy babies thanks to his selfless contributions. His story serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the power of giving and the impact one person can have on the lives of others.