James Harrison, renowned in Australia as the ‘man with the golden arm,’ passed away peacefully in his sleep at a nursing home in New South Wales on February 17. He was 88. Over six decades, Harrison made 1,173 plasma donations, helping save more than 2.4 million Australian babies through his rare Anti-D antibody.
Who Was James Harrison?
James Harrison was one of the world’s most committed blood donors. His remarkable plasma had a rare antibody called Anti-D, which proved vital in coming up with a treatment for pregnant women whose blood type might be dangerous to their babies.
Harrison’s donor journey started at 14 after he underwent extensive lung surgery. He had several blood transfusions, and this motivated him to give. Though he is afraid of needles, he stayed true to his word and started donating plasma at 18. His father, who was a frequent donor, also encouraged him to keep it going.
From his first donation in 1954, Harrison maintained a rigorous schedule, visiting the Australian Red Cross every two weeks until his retirement at 81. He never missed a single appointment over six decades, earning international recognition for his dedication.
In 2005, he held the world record for the most blood plasma donations, a title he retained until 2022 when a US donor surpassed him.
What Is Anti-D and How Did It Help Millions of Babies?
Harrison’s plasma had the rare and vital Anti-D antibody, which stops haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN). This is a serious condition that happens when a mother’s blood group is not compatible with her baby’s, causing the mother’s immune system to destroy the baby’s red blood cells. If left untreated, HDFN can result in severe anaemia, heart failure, or even death.
Before the mid-1960s, when Anti-D was first available, almost half of the infants who were diagnosed with HDFN did not survive. Harrison’s plasma was vital to the discovery of this lifesaving drug.
How Did Harrison’s Blood Come to Develop Anti-D?
The cause of Harrison’s unusual antibody is unknown. Nevertheless, specialists think it was due to the massive blood transfusions he underwent at 14 after lung surgery. He approximated receiving 13 units (7.4 litres) of blood to live through the operation, which most likely injected the Anti-D antibody into his body.
Recognitions and Awards
For his priceless efforts, James Harrison received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1999. The high-ranking award recognized his service to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and the Anti-D program.
Lifeblood commended Harrison’s legacy, stating, “His generosity leaves behind a remarkable legacy, and he has put the challenge out to the Australian community to beat it.”
A Life Devoted to Blood Donations
James Harrison made 1,173 donations in total—1,163 with his right arm and only 10 with his left. He never saw the needle go in, a reflection of his long-standing needle phobia.
His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, recalled him as a gentle soul with a wonderful sense of humour. “James was a humanitarian at heart, but also very funny,” she said to The Independent.
“As an Anti-D recipient myself, he has left a family behind who might never have existed were it not for his precious donations,” she said.
Impact on Prevention of Haemolytic Disease
Currently, Australia has fewer than 200 Anti-D donors. Although not many, they play important support roles to about 45,000 mothers and babies each year. Through Harrison’s lifetime donations, the HDFN mortality rate has greatly reduced.
Before the advent of Anti-D treatment, the mortality rate from HDFN was almost 50%. Due to the efforts of Harrison and other Anti-D donors, the current rate has come down to a mere 0.01 deaths per 1,000 births—about four babies annually.
The Future: ‘James in a Jar’ Project
In a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough, scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) in Melbourne, along with Lifeblood, have initiated a project “James in a Jar.”
Scientists, using Harrison’s and other donors’ blood and immune cells, have been able to mimic the Anti-D antibody in a lab. It is a discovery that can pave the way for mass production of Anti-D treatment and make it globally available for pregnant women.
A Lasting Legacy
James Harrison’s generosity and unflinching dedication to saving lives have left an indelible stamp on medical history. His donations prevented thousands of newborn deaths, and his legacy will live on through continued medical research.
As Lifeblood CEO Stephen Cornelissen succinctly put it, Harrison “expected nothing in return” and kept donating “even in his darkest days,” including following the death of his wife, Barbara, who was also a frequent donor.
His life is an inspiration for generations to come to come forward and participate in life-saving blood donation initiatives.