Hero of plasma legacy: James Harrison leaves life-saving mark
James Harrison, known as the man with the golden arm, whose unique blood helped save the lives of more than 2 million children, has died at 88. His family announced his passing on February 16 in New South Wales, Australia.
Harrison had a rare Anti-D antibody in his blood plasma, which was used to produce a medicine administered to pregnant women at risk of Rh disease with their unborn child.
After receiving a blood transfusion at the age of 14 during major chest surgery, he decided to become a donor. From 18, he donated plasma every two weeks until his 81st birthday.
According to the BBC, in 2005 he set the world record for the amount of plasma donated, which he held until 2022. His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, told BBC News that her father was "proud to have saved so many lives, without any cost or pain."
She and Harrison’s two grandchildren benefited from Anti-D immunization. "He took great joy in hearing about many families like ours, who exist thanks to his kindness," she added.
Anti-D injections protect unborn children from the deadly hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDFN), which occurs when the mother's blood is incompatible with the fetus's blood. Before the introduction of Anti-D therapy in the mid-1960s, one in two children with HDFN died.
200 donors save mothers and children
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood reports that 200 Anti-D donors in Australia help about 45,000 mothers and their children each year.
Lifeblood is collaborating with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to grow Anti-D antibodies in the lab, using blood and immune cells from Harrison and other donors.
David Irving, Lifeblood's Director of Research, emphasizes that creating a new therapy has long been the "holy grail." He points out the shortage of donors who regularly give blood and are capable of producing antibodies of sufficient quality and quantity.
