Acts of Kindness
Man Donates Rare Blood And Saves 2.4 Million Babies
He has now retired as Australia's age limit for blood donors is 81-years-old.
D.G. Sciortino
05.17.18

Australian James Harrison knows the value of being a blood donor. Blood donations saved his life when he was 14-years-old and had to have major chest surgery.

The 81-year-old has consistently donated his blood since the age of 18.

His “special” blood is reportedly responsible for saving the lives of 2.4 million babies. As a result, he has been dubbed “the man with the golden arm.”

David Gray/Reuters
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David Gray/Reuters

Harrison’s blood contains a rare antibody that was used to produce Anti-D, a medication that prevents Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn.

According to ABC 13, it’s a potentially fatal condition that can cause death, anemia, liver, spleen enlargement, brain damage, or heart failure in newborns.

Rh(D) negative pregnant women are given Anti-D injections to prevent them from developing antibodies that might harm a Rh(D) positive baby. About 17 percent of women in Australia need these injections but there are less than 200 Australian donors who can provide blood to create the injections.

Steven Siewert
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Steven Siewert

In his lifetime, Harrison made a total of 1,172 blood donations.

About 1,162 times from his right arm and 10 times from his left arm the Sydney Morning Herald says.

“I hope it’s a record that somebody breaks because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause,” Harrison said in a news release.

John Shakespeare
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John Shakespeare

Harrison recently made his final donation as the cut off age to donate blood in Australia is 81.

He began donating as soon as he was old enough at 18-years-old.

“It’s a sad day for me. The end of a long run,” Harrison told The Sydney Morning Herald while giving blood for the last time at the Town Hall Donor Centre.

CNN
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CNN

He says he began donating as a way to pay it forward.

He was given 13 units, or almost 2 gallons, of donated blood when he had to undergo a lung removal surgery as a teen.

“I was in the hospital for three months and I had 100 stitches,” he says. “I was always looking forward to donating, right from the operation, because I don’t know how many people it took to save my life. I never met them, didn’t know them.”

CNN
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CNN

Harrison’s donations helped Australia to be the first country in the world to create Anti-D for mass use, Red Cross spokeswoman Jemma Falkenmire told ABC 13.

Harrison was honored with the Medal of Order of Australian in 1999 for his service to his country.

“Every ampule of Anti-D ever made in Australia has James in it,” Robyn Barlow, the Rh program coordinator who recruited James, the program’s first donor, said. “Since the very first mother received her dose at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1967. It’s an enormous thing … He has saved millions of babies. I cry just thinking about it.”

Harrison didn’t hesitate when he was asked to join the Anti-D program. His blood naturally produces the rare combination of RHD-negative blood and Rh+ antibodies that make him an ideal donor.

Very few people have blood like this and scientists suspect it has something to do with the 13 units of blood transfusion he received as a teen.

Harrison’s body produces a lot of these antibodies and his body produces even more when he donates.

CNN Screenshot
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CNN Screenshot

“They asked me to be a guinea pig, and I’ve been donating ever since. I’d keep on going if they’d let me,” he said.

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