An Australian man who donated the most blood in the world and saved 2.4 million babies with rare antibodies in his blood has died at the age of 88.
According to reports from BBC and Australia's Seven News on 3rd (local time), James Harrison passed away on the 17th of last month at a nursing home on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
In Australia, he was nicknamed 'the man with the golden arm.' He donated plasma 1,173 times during his life, setting the world record for the most plasma donations in 2005. This record stood until 2022. Plasma donation involves separating plasma, the liquid component of blood, from whole blood.
In particular, Harrison's plasma contained the crucial 'anti-D antibody' necessary for preventing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), saving the lives of over 2.4 million newborns. HDFN occurs when the mother's and fetus's red blood cells do not match during pregnancy, which can lead to severe anemia, heart failure, and even death as the mother's immune system attacks the fetus's blood cells. Harrison's anti-D antibodies were used to manufacture medications for HDFN prevention.
Harrison began donating blood at the age of 18 in 1954 and continued to donate every two weeks for more than 60 years until he was 81 in 2018. He decided to donate blood after receiving a transfusion during surgery at the age of 14. The reason why Harrison's blood held a large amount of anti-D antibodies has not been clearly identified. Some reports speculate it may be related to the massive transfusion he received at 14.
According to Australia's blood service, Lifeblood, there are fewer than 200 anti-D antibody donors like Harrison in Australia, saving the lives of 45,000 mothers and babies each year. A Lifeblood spokesperson noted, 'James extended his arm for strangers 1,173 times and asked for nothing in return,' and added, 'He left an amazing legacy, and we hope someone in Australia will one day break his donation record.'
Harrison's daughter said, 'Father took pride in saving many lives without incurring a large expense or pain,' and added, 'He always said blood donation isn't painful and that 'the life you save could be your own.'
Rebecca Ind, who benefited from the anti-D antibody, said, 'I think it's amazing to donate blood to save lives,' and added, 'Harrison was a special person who devoted his life so that ordinary families like ours could have healthy children.'