In this post, I offer my thoughts on the passing of James Harrison, the incredible blood donor who saved 2.4 million babies with his rare blood plasma.

Despite the ongoing need, many people say they are not able to donate blood because they fear needles. Then there is James Harrison, the Australian man who extended his arm an incredible 1,173 times over the years so his blood plasma could be used to help unborn babies. Mr. Harrison passed away at age 88 recently, but his legacy as a blood and plasma donor will live for generations.

Harrison, whose father was a blood donor, underwent chest surgery at age 14 and required blood transfusions, so he understood well at an early age the importance of blood donations. When he was able, he began donating blood and was soon told his blood contained a rare antibody needed to make Anti-D medication to treat expectant mothers with rhesus disease. While not harmful to the mother, rhesus disease of the newborn – also called hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn – occurs when the expectant mother’s blood destroys the baby’s red blood cells. If untreated it can lead to the baby experiencing jaundice, anemia, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), tachypnea (rapid breathing), neurological and other life-threatening complications. 

Once Harrison, who would later be known as the man with the golden arm, learned about rhesus disease and was informed he was among only a small group of people with the rare antibody in his blood, he began a ritual of donating blood and providing his plasma every two weeks for the next 60 years until he turned 81 years old, the maximum age allowed in Australia to donate. 

His final donation was on May 11, 2018, and at that time the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood program reported “more than three million doses of Anti-D containing James’ blood have been issued to Aussie mothers with a negative blood type since 1967.” For his part, the caring Harrison said, “I hope it’s a record that somebody breaks, because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause.”

Upon hearing of Harrison’s death on February 17, 2025, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood CEO Stephen Cornelissen offered the following statement, “James was a remarkable, stoically kind, and generous person who was committed to a lifetime of giving and he captured the hearts of many people around the world. He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and it was his hope that one day, someone in Australia would beat his donation record.” 

James was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1999 for his incredible, ongoing commitment to and support of the Lifeblood Anti-D program – and then continued to donate blood and provide plasma for another 19 years after being so recognized. He was the epitome of being kind, humble, caring and selfless – a true humanitarian.

Talk about a life well-lived. James Harrison more than earned his wings. You can honor him by being a blood donor, too.

REMEMBER…

◊ Harrison always told his family it did not hurt to donate blood and, as reported by New York Post wellness reporter Diana Bruk, he said “the life you save could be your own.” His words would come true as his daughter, Tracey Mellowship, required anti-D treatment herself while pregnant. “He has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations,” Tracey said. “He was also very proud to have saved so many lives, without any cost or pain. It made him happy to hear about the many families like ours, who existed because of his kindness.”¹

◊ It is quick and easy to donate blood. Contact your local hospital or health system, or the Red Cross for information on local opportunities to donate.

◊ For more information, read the U.S. Health and Human Services article, Find Out if You Can Give Blood, at https://www.hhs.gov/givingequalsliving/giveblood/can-i-give. 

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1.  Bruk, Diana, Blood donor who saved 2.4 million babies with his rare blood plasma dies at age 88, The New York Post, March 3, 2025. ↩︎