James Harrison, Whose Rare Blood Saved 2.4 Million Babies, Dies at 88

The Australian donor, known as the 'Man with the Golden Arm,' provided life-saving plasma for six decades, helping combat a deadly condition in newborns.

James Harrison, an Australian blood donor with a rare antibody in his plasma, passed away peacefully at 88 on February 17, 2025.
Harrison's blood contained the Anti-D antibody, used to develop a medication that prevents hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a condition that can be fatal for unborn babies.
Over a span of 60 years, Harrison made 1,173 plasma donations, saving the lives of over 2.4 million babies and earning recognition as a national hero in Australia.
He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1999 for his extraordinary contributions to the Anti-D program, which has protected millions of families.
Researchers are working to replicate Harrison's antibodies in the lab, aiming to create a synthetic version to benefit pregnant women worldwide.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

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