James Harrison, an Australian hero celebrated for saving over two million babies through his extraordinary blood donations, has passed away at the age of 88.
Known affectionately as the “Man with the Golden Arm,” Harrison possessed a rare and invaluable antibody called Anti-D in his plasma. This unique contribution enabled him to donate blood an astonishing 1,173 times, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood confirmed in a heartfelt statement.
Harrison passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 17 at a nursing home near Sydney. His lifelong dedication to donating blood began after he himself required life-saving blood transfusions at just 14 years old, following lung surgery. At 18, he made his first donation and continued to donate plasma every two weeks until he reached Australia’s donation age limit at 81.
“James was a remarkable, selflessly kind, and deeply generous individual who dedicated his life to giving,” said Stephen Cornelissen, CEO of Lifeblood. “His quiet heroism touched hearts worldwide. He willingly extended his arm more than a thousand times, expecting nothing in return, impacting countless families he would never meet.”
Tracey Mellowship, Harrison’s daughter, described her father as “a humanitarian at heart.”
“As someone who directly benefited from Anti-D treatments, I can personally attest that our family would not exist without his generosity,” she said. “He took great pride in knowing how many lives he had saved and did so without hesitation or expectation. He was always moved by stories of families like ours, whose existence was made possible by his kindness.”
Harrison’s remarkable antibodies helped create Anti-D medication, crucial in preventing rhesus disease—a condition where a mother’s immune system attacks her unborn baby’s blood cells. Before Harrison’s invaluable contributions, thousands of Australian babies annually were at risk of severe complications, including brain damage or death.
Australian medical officials recognized Harrison’s discovery as revolutionary. “Before 1967, countless babies were lost, and doctors were puzzled,” said Jemma Falkenmire of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service in a past interview. “James’s antibodies literally changed the course of medical history.”
For his unmatched generosity and monumental impact, Harrison received numerous honors, including the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia, solidifying his legacy as one of the nation’s true heroes.
James Harrison, pictured donating blood in 2018
