An Australian man credited with saving 2.4 million babies through his record-breaking blood plasma donations over six decades has died aged 88. Jarrod Mellowship said Tuesday his grandfather, James Harrison, died in a nursing home on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
James Harrison’s donations were used to develop a life-saving medication called Anti-D, which is given to pregnant women to prevent them from developing RhD antibodies that can attack their unborn babies.
Harrison’s unique plasma contained a rare antibody that was used to create the Anti-D medication. He made his first donation in 1954 after undergoing major chest surgery, and over the years, he went on to make an astonishing 1,173 donations.
'It was a very sad day yesterday,' Mr Mellowship said, adding that his grandfather had been in poor health for the past year. Harrison was just 18 years old when he made his first donation to the Australian Red Cross, then known as the Red Cross Blood Bank.
Despite being in his 80s, Harrison continued to make donations until he was forced to stop in 2018 due to Australian Red Cross Blood Service rules that require donors to be under the age of 81. At the time of his retirement, Harrison said he would miss donating, but felt a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing the impact his donations had had on the lives of millions of people.
The Australian Red Cross described Harrison as a 'legendary' donor, whose blood had been used to create 2.4 million doses of Anti-D since 1967. Without Harrison’s donations, thousands of babies may have died due to complications arising from their mothers having developed the RhD antibody during pregnancy.
The Anti-D injection is given to mothers who have a negative blood type to prevent them from producing antibodies against a positive blood type in their babies. Harrison’s selfless donations have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire others to follow in his footsteps.
Friends and family have paid tribute to Harrison, describing him as a kind, generous and humble man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. His passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across Australia and beyond, with many hailing him as a national hero and a true legend.
As news of Harrison’s passing spread, there has been a surge of interest in blood donation, with many people taking to social media to share their own experiences of donating and to encourage others to roll up their sleeves and give blood. As the world says goodbye to this incredible man, his legacy will live on through the millions of lives he touched and the countless people who will continue to be inspired by his generosity and selflessness.