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"Man With the Golden Arm" dies at the age of 88. When James Harrison was eighteen years old in 1954, he began to donate blood.
He was found to have unusually strong and persistent antibodies against the antigen of the D Rh group in his blood. Blood containing anti-D antibodies can be processed to produce immunoglobulin-based products that prevent haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). It prevents the development of antibodies against the blood of the Rh(D) positive child in mothers who are Rh(D) negative during and after pregnancy. In most cases, Rh disease is caused by antigen sensitization and subsequent incompatibility.
Before retirement in 2018 at the age of 81, James Harrison made an incredible 1,173 donations during his entire life. Over two million newborns have been saved globally through his donations.
He died in his sleep on February 17.
James Harrison set the world record for the most blood plasma donated in 2005, a record he held until 2022, when a US man surpassed him.
As stated by Tracey Mellowship, Harrison's daughter, her father was incredibly proud of the numerous lives he had saved.
At the age of 14, James Harrison had multiple blood transfusions following major chest surgery. He got inspired to donate blood by the event. He began donating blood when he was eighteen, and it was found that his blood had the uncommon Anti-D antibody. This breakthrough was vital for the creation of HDN treatments.
The rare Anti-D antibody, which is critical in preventing hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), was found in Ames Harrison's blood. When a Rh-negative woman gives birth to a Rh-positive kid, the mother's immune system destroys the baby's red blood cells, which leads to this condition. A vaccine to prevent this fatal disease was developed using the Anti-D antibodies found in James Harrison's blood.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Lifeblood) and researchers from Australia's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research are working together to imitate Harrison's antibodies in a lab. According to reports, their mission is to produce a synthetic form of anti-D, ensuring a dependable and readily available medication for expecting mothers worldwide.
References:
1. CBC News. 2025. "Man Dubbed ‘World’s Most Prolific Blood Donor’ Gave 1,000 Donations Over 50 Years." CBC News, February 27, 2025. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/most-prolific-blood-donor-1.7472937.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Puja Devi/MSM)
