World’s Most Prolific Blood Donor, James Harrison, Dies at 88

Australian man whose blood saved 2.4 million babies passes away – James Harrison, one of the world’s most prolific blood donors—whose plasma helped save over two million babies—has passed away at the age of 88.

Harrison, known in Australia as the “Man with the Golden Arm,” died peacefully in his sleep at a nursing home in New South Wales on February 17, his family announced. His blood contained a rare antibody, Anti-D, which is crucial in producing medication for pregnant mothers at risk of developing antibodies that could harm their unborn babies.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service paid tribute to Harrison, recalling his commitment to donating blood plasma after undergoing a major chest surgery at the age of 14. He pledged to become a donor and, at 18, began donating every two weeks—a routine he maintained until he was 81.

In 2005, he held the Guinness World Record for the most blood plasma donated, a title he retained until 2022 when a U.S. donor surpassed his record.

Harrison’s daughter, Tracey Mellowship, described him as deeply proud of his contributions, saying, “He always said it doesn’t hurt, and the life you save could be your own.” She and two of Harrison’s grandchildren also received Anti-D immunizations.

The Anti-D injections derived from Harrison’s blood have protected countless babies from haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a life-threatening condition caused by incompatibility between a mother’s and baby’s blood. If untreated, HDFN can lead to severe anemia, heart failure, or even death in newborns.

Mellowship expressed gratitude for her father’s generosity, saying, “It made him happy to know that so many families, including ours, exist because of his kindness.”

Before the development of Anti-D treatments in the mid-1960s, one in two babies diagnosed with HDFN did not survive. Harrison’s extraordinary plasma donations played a key role in preventing these deaths.

The origin of his rare antibodies remains uncertain, though some reports suggest they may be linked to a massive blood transfusion he received at age 14 following major chest surgery. Motivated by this experience, Harrison pledged to become a donor and began donating at 18, continuing every two weeks until the age of 81.

His efforts earned him global recognition, and in 2005, he held the Guinness World Record for the most blood plasma donations—a title he maintained until 2022.

Despite there being fewer than 200 active Anti-D donors in Australia, their contributions help an estimated 45,000 mothers and babies annually, according to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, also known as Lifeblood.

Lifeblood, in collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, has been working to replicate Anti-D antibodies in the lab by cultivating blood and immune cells from Harrison and other donors. Scientists hope that lab-grown Anti-D could one day provide a worldwide solution for pregnant women at risk.

“Creating a new therapy has long been a ‘holy grail’,” said Lifeblood’s research director, David Irving, emphasizing the challenge of finding committed donors who can produce antibodies in both quality and quantity.

Harrison’s daughter, Tracey Mellowship, expressed pride in her father’s impact, saying, “He always said it doesn’t hurt, and the life you save could be your own.” She and two of Harrison’s grandchildren have also benefited from Anti-D immunizations.

“It made him happy to know that so many families, including ours, exist because of his kindness,” she added.

Source: BBC

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Fidel Perez

A graduate of Computer Science and Information Management Technology. Diploma – Caregiving, Certificates – Dementia and Diabetes Awareness and Management. A researcher, blogger, songwriter, singer and acoustic guitarist. Born in an environment where natural talents such as healing are imparted at our natural birth. This natural talents of healing is the result of our genetic inheritance and the training from family environment.