Legendary Blood Donor James Harrison Passes Away
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the world bids farewell to one of the most remarkable blood donors in history. James Harrison, known for saving over 2 million babies with his rare plasma, peacefully passed away in his sleep at a nursing home in New South Wales, Australia on 17 February. He was 88 years old.
Revered in Australia as the “man with the golden arm,” Harrison’s blood contained a precious antibody, Anti-D, critical in creating life-saving medications for expectant mothers at risk of complications.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service, paying homage to Harrison, revealed that his journey as a donor began at the age of 14, after receiving transfusions during a significant chest surgery. His commitment to saving lives led him to donate his plasma every two weeks from the age of 18 until he was 81.
By 2005, Harrison held the world record for the highest amount of blood plasma donated, a distinction he maintained until 2022 when he was surpassed by an individual in the US.
His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, shared that her father took immense pride in his life-saving contributions, often emphasizing the painless nature of donation and the potential to save one’s own life through altruism.
Mellowship and two of Harrison’s grandchildren have also benefited from anti-D immunizations, underscoring the profound impact of his generosity on his own family.
Anti-D injections play a crucial role in shielding unborn infants from a dangerous blood disorder known as hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a condition that can be fatal if left untreated.
Despite the scarcity of anti-D donors in Australia, their contributions benefit approximately 45,000 mothers and babies annually, according to Lifeblood, formerly known as the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.
Collaborating with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Lifeblood aims to cultivate anti-D antibodies in the laboratory by replicating blood and immune cells from donors like Harrison, with the ultimate goal of providing this life-saving therapy to expectant mothers worldwide.
“Creating a new therapy has long been a ‘holy grail,'” remarked Lifeblood’s research director David Irving, highlighting the challenges associated with developing a sustainable supply of antibodies for critical treatments.
James Harrison’s extraordinary legacy as a selfless blood donor continues to inspire hope and progress in the field of medical research, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless families across the globe. — BBC
