James Harrison, Whose Rare Blood Saved Millions of Babies, Dies at 88

Known as the 'man with the golden arm,' Harrison's blood donations helped develop a lifesaving treatment for Rhesus disease, protecting millions of newborns worldwide.

James Harrison, an Australian blood donor with rare antibodies, passed away at the age of 88 after donating blood over 1,100 times across six decades.
Harrison's blood was instrumental in creating Anti-D, a treatment that prevents Haemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN), a condition that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe health complications in newborns.
His donations have been credited with saving the lives of more than 2.4 million babies in Australia, including his own descendants, as his daughter and grandson's partner were Anti-D recipients.
Scientists are now working on a project called 'James in a Jar' to replicate the rare antibodies in his blood in a lab, potentially expanding access to this lifesaving treatment globally.
Harrison was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1999 for his extraordinary contributions and hoped others would surpass his record of generosity.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

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