James Harrison, who donated blood and plasma more than 1,000 times, has died at 88.
Starting at age 18, Harrison donated fortnightly until turning 81 in 2018 – ultimately giving 1,173 donations, according to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
Harrison’s plasma contained a rare antibody, anti-D, given to pregnant women whose babies are at risk of developing a blood disease. He is said to have saved the lives of more than two million babies via his donations.
It is given to around one in five women expecting a baby, Lifeblood said. Among them was his daughter Tracey Mellowship.
“As an anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations,” his daughter said.
Prolific blood donor James Harrison donated from ages 18 to 81. Credit: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
“He was also very proud to have saved so many lives, without any cost or pain,” Harrison’s daughter said.
“It made him happy to hear about the many families like ours, who existed because of his kindness.”
Harrison, from Junee in NSW, was inspired to donate after needing blood transfusions following lung surgery in his mid-teens.
There are around 200 anti-D donors in Australia.
Lifeblood is working with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to grow the antibody in a lab using the blood of anti-D donors.
Harrison gained the nickname “the man with the golden arm” and was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 1999.
Lifeblood CEO Stephen Cornelissen said: “He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and it was his hope that one day, someone in Australia would beat his donation record.”
Harrison died at a nursing home on the Central Coast on 17 February, Lifeblood said.