MELBOURNE, Australia — An extraordinary Australian known for his unparalleled contributions to saving lives has passed away, leaving an incredible legacy. James Harrison, a former clerk at the state railway department, dedicated his life to donating blood plasma, a commitment that spanned over six decades and ultimately saved the lives of 2.4 million babies. Harrison died at the age of 88 in a nursing home on the central coast of New South Wales on February 17, as confirmed by his grandson, Jarrod Mellowship.
Harrison’s blood contained a unique antibody, anti-D, crucial in creating injections that protect unborn infants from hemolytic disease of the newborn. This disease can occur when a mother’s immune system attacks the red blood cells of the fetus, a situation most likely to arise if the mother has an Rh-negative blood type while the baby is Rh-positive.
In Australia, only 200 individuals possess the ability to donate anti-D, a valuable trait that assists around 45,000 mothers and their babies each year. Despite having a fear of needles, Harrison began donating his plasma after his 18th birthday in 1954 and continued until 2018, when he retired at 81 after achieving 1,173 donations.
“He did it for the right reasons,” Mellowship noted, emphasizing that although his grandfather did appreciate the attention, he never sought it for personal gain. James Harrison’s immense contributions earned him a place in the Guinness World Records in 2005, though this record was surpassed in 2022 by Brett Cooper from Michigan, USA.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service, also known as Lifeblood, affectionately dubbed Harrison as the “Man with the Golden Arm” due to his incredible act of lifelong giving. Stephen Cornelissen, the chief executive of Lifeblood, described Harrison as an “exceptional, kind, and generous person,” expressing his hopes that another Australian might one day surpass Harrison’s record.
Harrison’s impact was close to his family’s heart. His own daughter, Tracey Mellowship, required the anti-D treatment during the births of her sons, Jarrod and Scott. Moreover, Jarrod’s wife, Rebecca, received the treatment for three of their four children.
Speculation suggests that Harrison developed high levels of the anti-D antibody after receiving numerous blood transfusions during significant lung surgery at the age of 14. Recalling personal anecdotes, Jarrod Mellowship shared, “After the surgery, [his father] Reg informed grandad that he survived solely because people donated blood. From the day he turned 18, he committed to donating.”
While the application of anti-D in combating hemolytic disease of the newborn was uncovered in the 1960s, Harrison had already embarked on his journey of donations. Born in New South Wales, James Harrison leaves behind a sister, Margaret Thrift, a daughter, two grandsons, and four great-grandchildren, ensuring that his life-saving legacy continues to be cherished and remembered.
