Meet the Man Who Helped Save Millions of Babies

Mr James Harrison has helped save the lives of 2.4 million babies.

The 81-year-old’s plasma contains a potent antibody used to create a remarkable treatment known as Anti-D that protects unborn babies from the potentially deadly Rhesus D Haemolytic Disease (HDN).

On Friday, after more than 60 years and 1173 donations, Mr Harrison made his final benefaction, shares SMH.

“It’s a sad day for me. The end of a long run,” Mr Harrison says as his blood flows from the crook of his right arm to the plasmapheresis machine at the Town Hall Donor Centre.

“Every ampule of Anti-D ever made in Australia has James in it,” said Robyn Barlow the Rh program coordinator who recruited James, the program’s first donor.

“Since the very first mother received her dose at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1967.

“It’s an enormous thing … He has saved millions of babies. I cry just thinking about it,” she said.

Almost every week, the 81-year-old dubbed “the man with the golden arm” has donated 500-800ml of blood plasma.

He retires with 1162 donations from his right arm and 10 from his left.

What an awesome man.

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14 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 15 Aug 2022
    11:07 am
Not all heros wear caps

- - rachel1970 said
  - 17 May 2018
    8:09 pm
God Bless this wonderful man. There really are angels walking among us.

- - mom83217 said
  - 16 May 2018
    5:06 pm
This man deserves an honorable award for this outstanding contribution.

- - ella12 said
  - 16 May 2018
    4:02 pm
Most definitely a wonderful man, well done.

- - rovermum said
  - 16 May 2018
    11:52 am
What an amazing human being. There really are some angels in the world.
- mom93821 replied
  
  17 May 2018 , 5:13 am
  Some people really do believe and act with community spirit.
- - sars_angelchik said
  - 16 May 2018
    9:34 am
What an amazing and selfless man!

- - mom93821 said
  - 15 May 2018
    6:37 am
A truly remarkable and community minded achievement.

- - Ellen said
  - 15 May 2018
    3:50 am
So good !

- - BellaB said
  - 14 May 2018
    10:40 pm
This is a beautiful story. Such a simple but important way to help.

- - mom199367 said
  - 14 May 2018
    9:49 pm
What an incredible man to be so generous to help those in need for such a long time. He deserves some type of honours/recognition for rolling up his sleeves and saving so many lives.
Well done Mr James Harrison!

- - nealsq said
  - 14 May 2018
    4:52 pm
an incredible gift he has given

- - mom90758 said
  - 14 May 2018
    3:10 pm
A wonderful man indeed. A little gesture can save so many people. Well done. He deserves all the recognition possible!!

- - mom297125 said
  - 14 May 2018
    1:56 pm
Whag a fantastic man. Saving so many lives. I do hope he gets more recognition for all his wotk over the years. Hope there are more people like him who will take over from where he leaves. Well done James