An Australian man who has been donating his extremely rare kind of blood for over 50 years has saved the lives of more than two million babies.
James Harrison, 77, has an antibody in his plasma that stops babies dying from Rhesus disease, a form of severe anaemia. He has enabled countless mothers to give birth to healthy babies, including his own daughter, Tracey, who had a healthy son thanks to her father’s blood. James’ blood contains a life-saving antibody which prevents Rh(D) negative women developing Rh(D) antibodies during pregnancy, which can harm the unborn child.
When James was just 14 years old, he received a life-saving blood transfusion during an invasive chest surgery. Grateful for this gift, Harrison pledged to pay it forward by becoming a blood donor when he was old enough.
True to his word, after turning 18, he became a regular donor. He is an extraordinary man whose willingness to serve his fellow man has earned him the nickname as, "the man with the golden arm."
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