04-03-2025
Blood and plasma donor who saved more than 2 million babies dies at 88
(WJW) – James Harrison, a prolific blood and plasma donor for decades who helped save the lives of millions of babies in Australia, has died, according to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
The organization made the announcement on Saturday, confirming that Harrison passed away in his sleep at the Peninsula Village Nursing Home last month. He was 88.
Nicknamed the 'Man with the Golden Arm,' Harrison was internationally known for saving more than 2 million babies by donating plasma more than 1,100 times since 1954, the organization said.
'James' plasma contained the rare and precious antibody, Anti-D, which is used to make the life-saving medication given to mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies,' Lifeblood said in a press release.
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According to the organization, Harrison had to undergo blood transfusions after lung surgery when he was 14.
With some encouragement from his father, Harrison started donating when he turned 18 and never missed an appointment until he retired at 81 years old, the organization said.
'James extended his arm to help others and babies he would never know a remarkable 1,173 times and expected nothing in return,' said Lifeblood CEO Stephen Cornelissen 'He continued to donate even in his darkest days, after the passing of his wife Barbara, who was also a blood donor, and helped inspire his career as a lifesaver.'
'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,' his daughter, Tracey Mellowship, added on behalf of the family.
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According to the organization, researchers are now working to grow the antibody in their lab, nicknaming the project 'James in a Jar.'
'Using the blood of James and other donors, the team has successfully recreated and grown his antibody in the lab – with the hope it will one day help prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn, not just for pregnant women in Australia, but also worldwide,' the press release said.
Learn more about the research being done right here.
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