James Harrison, the blood donor who saved 2 million babies, has died: NPR

James Harrison, Australia’s most prolific blood and plasma donor, passed away at the age of 88. Known as the “man with Golden Arm,” Harrison is believed to have saved the lives of 2.4 million babies over more than half a century.

Harrison passed away “about sleep” in a nursing home on February 17th. LifeBlood (the Australian Red Cross branch responsible for blood donation) was announced on Saturday.

Harrison gave 1,173 blood and plasma to Harrison every two weeks between 1954 and 2018.

He “never missed a single appointment,” the agency said. Blood donors are not financially compensated under Australian law.

“James was an incredible, quietly kind and generous person who was committed to giving a lifelong gift, and he captured the hearts of many people around the world,” Lifeline CEO Stephen Cornelissen said in a statement.

Harrison’s plasma contained a rare and valuable antibody called anti-D, which was discovered in the mid-1960s. It is used in drug therapy to prevent hemolytic diseases in the fetus and neonates (HDFN) – also known as rhesus monkey disease – which creates a potentially fatal disease that occurs when the blood of a pregnant person is not compatible with the fetus’ blood, causing it to attack the immune system.

According to Lifeblood, 17% of pregnant Australian women ultimately need anti-D injections. And most of the country’s supply comes from a pool of normal plasma donors of less than 200.

According to LifeBlood, Harrison became the country’s first and most prolific anti-D donor. In 1999 he was awarded the Order of Australia, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. However, he downplayed his achievements in interviews over the years, urging others to roll up their sleeves too.

Some people say, “Yeah, you’re a hero,” Harrison told NPR in 2015. “But I am in a safe room and donating blood.

Harrison has begun giving to pay back the generosity of others

When Harrison was 14, he got sick and had to remove one of his lungs.

The rigorous process included three months of hospitalization, 100 gallons and 2 gallons of donated blood, he told NPR. Despite his dislike for needles, he later urged him to donate himself.

“I’ve always looked forward to donating straight away from the surgery because I don’t know how many people it would take to save my life,” he said. “I’ve never met them and I didn’t know them.”

In 1954, as soon as he reached the legal age of 18, Harrison began giving blood and plasma.

Scientists discovered an anti-D treatment for HDFN about 10 years later, and Harrison quickly learned that his blood contained rare life-saving antibodies.

After learning that Harrison owns anti-D, Lifeblood says he is “pleasant to continue to donate and switch to plasma donations to help as many people as possible.”

“I was ready and wanted to give something back,” Harrison said. “And I’ve been donating for 60 years.”

More than 3 million anti-Ds have been issued to Australian mothers since 1967, including Harrison’s blood.

His donations helped him grow and inspire his own family

Harrison’s daughter, Tracy Mellowship, was among the women who received the injections while pregnant.

“As my own anti-D recipient, he left a family that might not have existed without his valuable contributions,” she said in a statement, adding that her father is “very proud” to welcome two great grandchildren in his last year.

Harrison’s contributions not only allowed his family to grow, but also allowed him to give himself back.

“The whole family is a blood donor,” Harrison told NPR. “And you’re proud of that too.”

In 2011, his grandson Scott made his first donation – he sat right next to Harrison, who was making the 1,000th.

His late wife, Barbara, was also a blood donor. Harrison continued his donation “even on his darkest days,” including after her death, Lifebood says.

Mellowship said her dad is proud to have saved so many lives “without any cost or pain.”

“He’s happy to hear about many families like us who were present for his kindness,” Mellowship said. “He always says it won’t hurt, and the life you save may be your own.”

He continues to carry out scientific research

Harrison officially retired at the age of 81, the largest age for blood donation under Australian law.

He made his final donation in May 2018 and is surrounded by half a dozen grateful mothers holding babies who benefited from the ANTI-D program.

From the Blood Center recliner, Harrison lamented his forced retirement and told the Sydney Morning Herald, “Even if they forgive me, we’ll continue.”

But he also spoke optimistic about going through the baton – or, more precisely, a squishy stress ball.

“That’s why someone breaks because it means they’re dedicated to the cause,” he said.

According to Lifeblood, there are around 200 anti-D donors in Australia, supporting around 45,000 mothers and babies each year.

However, antibodies are extremely rare and there are so few human donors who can donate regularly, so scientists are also trying to come up with synthetic versions.

Lifeblood is working with Australia’s oldest institutes, Walter and Elizahall Medical Institute (WEHI), on a project called “James in a jar.” Harrison was able to continue saving his life ever since his death.

“Using the blood of James and other donors, the team has successfully replicated and grown the antibodies in the lab, and hopes that it will one day prevent them, not just pregnant Australian women, but also around the world.”