The Man with the Golden Arm: James Harrison’s life-saving gift

James Harrison, known in Australia as the man with the golden arm and whose blood contained a rare antibody, Anti-D, which is used to make medication given to pregnant mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies, has passed away. He is one of the world’s longest-lasting blood donors, and his plasma saved the lives of more than two million babies.

On 17 February, he passed on in his sleep at a nursing home in New South Wales, Australia, said his family on Monday. He was 88 years old at his passing.

James Harrison: The mystery behind his rare blood 

According to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, which paid tribute to Harrison, it was revealed that he had pledged to become a donor at 14 after receiving transfusions while undergoing major chest surgery. At 18, he started donating his blood plasma, and he kept at it every two weeks until he turned 81 years old. He reportedly donated 1,173 times, making his final donation on 11 May 2018.

In 2025, he received the world record for most blood plasma donated, which he held until a man in the US overtook him. Harrison’s daughter, Tracey Mellowship, revealed that her Father was proud to have saved many lives without any cost or pain. According to her, he always said it does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own.

Mellowship and two of Harrison’s grandchildren were also beneficiaries of anti-D immunizations. She reported that their Father was glad to hear about the many families like theirs that exist because of his kindness.

Anti-D jabs protect unborn babies from a deadly blood disorder called haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, or HDFN. The condition occurs during pregnancy when the mother’s red blood cells are incompatible with those of their growing baby.

The mother’s immune system then sees the baby’s blood cells as a threat and produces antibodies to attack them. This can seriously harm the baby, causing severe anaemia, heart failure, or even death. Before anti-D interventions were developed in the mid-1960s, one in two babies diagnosed with HDFN died.

According to Dr Emeil Kamel, an obstetrician, gynaecologist, and Laparoscopic Surgeon, approximately 85% of Australians have a Rhesus (Rh-D) positive blood group and 15% a (Rh-D) negative group. Like all blood groups, the Rh factors are inherited. If an Rh-D-negative woman falls pregnant to an Rh-D-positive man, there is a 1 in 4 chance that the baby will be Rh-D-positive.

During pregnancy and birth, there is a risk that some of the baby’s blood cells will get into the mother’s bloodstream, and she will form antibodies (Isoimmunization) against the baby’s blood. Suppose a mother who has developed the antibodies has another Rh-positive baby. In that case, her antibodies will cross the placenta and may damage the baby’s red blood cells. 

Untreated babies may be anaemic, have a risk of brain damage or even die before birth. Doctors call all of these problems’ haemolytic disease of the newborn’ or ‘HDN’.

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The use of ‘anti-D’ has dramatically reduced the incidence of HDN by minimizing the chances of a woman forming antibodies from about 1.5% to 0.2%. Suppose the mother is given an injection of Anti-D within 72 hours of delivery, miscarriage or amniocentesis. In that case, the baby’s cells, which have entered the bloodstream, may be neutralized, and thus harmful antibodies will not be produced.

It is routine practice, therefore, to offer all Rh-D negative mothers anti-D immunoglobulin injections during pregnancy (2 doses, at 28 and 34 weeks gestation) and after delivery (if the baby is Rh-D positive). Pregnant women may need to have the injection earlier if they: Have any vaginal bleeding during their pregnancy, have a miscarriage, have an abortion or terminate their pregnancy, or have a medical procedure such as an amniocentesis.

A final goodbye to a true hero

It is vague how Harrison’s blood became so rich in anti-D, but some reports said it had to do with the massive blood transfusion he received at 14. There are fewer than 200 anti-D donors in Australia, but according to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, also known as Lifeblood, they help an estimated 45,000 mothers and their babies annually.

Lifeblood has been working with Australia’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to grow anti-D antibodies in the lab by replicating blood and immune cells from Harrison and other donors. Researchers hope lab-made anti-D can one day help pregnant women worldwide. 

Lifeblood’s research director, David Irving, said creating a new therapy has long been a ‘holy grail. He spoke about the scarcity of donors committed to regular donations and who can produce sufficient quality and quantity of antibodies.

James Harrison was a man who never sought public validation, even though he held the world record for plasma donations until the year 2022, he believed in the power of giving. His catchphrase was simple:

“It does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own.”

Now, as the world remembers him, his legacy lives on in the millions of lives he touched—proving that one person’s kindness can change the course of history.