Prolific blood donor who saved 2.4 million babies dies at 88

An Australian man credited with saving more than 2 million babies through decades of regular blood and plasma donations has died at age 88.

An Australian man credited with saving more than 2 million babies through decades of regular blood and plasma donations has died at age 88.

James Harrison, whose blood contained a rare antibody, died in his sleep on Feb. 17 at a nursing home in the Australian state of New South Wales, according to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, also known as Lifeblood.

The antibody in Harrison’s blood was used to make the medication anti-D, which is given to pregnant women whose blood might attack their unborn babies. Without it, babies may develop hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a blood disorder that can be fatal.

Despite an aversion to needles, Harrison began donating in 1954 at age 18, keeping a promise he made at 14 when he received life-saving blood transfusions as part of a major surgery. A decade later, it was found that his blood contained an antibody essential for producing anti-D injections.

Known as the “man with the golden arm,” Harrison donated his blood and plasma 1,173 times, never missing an appointment for more than 60 years until he retired in 2018 at the age of 81.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/prolific-blood-donor-saved-24-million-babies-dies-88-rcna194459

---