The world’s most prolific blood and plasma donor who saved the lives of 2.4 million Australian babies has died.
James Harrison OAM, 88, died peacefully in his sleep at Peninsula Village Nursing Home on the NSW Central Coast on February 17.
After undergoing lung surgery at age 14 which required 13 lifesaving blood transfusions, he began donating plasma as soon as he became an adult in 1954.
Dubbed the ‘Man with a Golden Arm’, Mr Harrison rolled up his sleeves every fortnight to donate plasma more than 1100 times until he turned 81 in 2018.
His 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.
Even when he went away on holidays, Mr Harrison would arrange to donate in another state to ensure he never missed a single appointment.
Nor did his commitment wane later in life while grieving the loss of his wife Barbara, who was also a blood donor.
It’s estimated he saved the lives of 2.4million babies in his lifetime.
The recent death of the world’s most prolific blood and plasma donor has sparked an outpouring of tributes. Pictured is James Harrison with two of the millions of babies he saved
James Harrison OAM donated more than 1100 times during his lifetime
The great-grandfather has been remembered as a humanitarian at heart and for his sense of humour.
‘As an anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donation,’ his daughter Tracey Mellowship said.
‘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.
‘He always said it does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own.’
Lifeblood paid tribute to his lifelong generosity that captured many hearts worldwide.
‘It was James’ belief that his donations were no more important than any other donors’, and that everyone can be special in the same way that he was,’ executive officer Stephen Cornelissen said.
‘James extended his arm to help others and babies he would never know a remarkable 1173 times and expected nothing in return.
James Harrison died peacefully in his sleep at Peninsula Village Nursing Home on the NSW Central Coast last month
He began donating plasma at age 18 and continued until he was 81
‘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 leaves behind an incredible legacy, and it was his hope that one day, someone in Australia would beat his donation record.’
In his final years, Mr Harrison had really wanted for someone to beat his world record of donations.
‘I’m not special and I hope that this is a record that people will beat,’ he told Lifeblood.
James Harrison extended his arm to help others and babies he would never know a remarkable 1173 times and expected nothing in return.
It’s also hoped that Mr Harrison’s legacy will continue long after his passing.
LifeBlood has teamed up with researchers to create what has been dubbed ‘James in a Jar’.
Using the blood of Mr Harrison and and other donors, the team has recreated and grown his antibody in the lab in the hope it will one day help prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn in pregnant women worldwide.
