During surgery or when someone loses a lot of blood in an accident, doctors use donated blood to keep the person from dying. Even though it is highly necessary to save lives, you can’t force people to donate their blood. Luckily, there are volunteers all over the world who regularly donate blood. James Harrison was one of those volunteers. However, he directly impacted over 2.4 million babies by donating blood. Keep reading to discover how he did it!
Man saves over 2.4 million babies by donating blood!
James Harrison, known as “the man with the golden arm,” is one of the world’s most prolific blood plasma donors. His plasma had a rare composition. It contained a life-saving antibody, which is used to create anti-D injections. These Injections can prevent Rhesus disease, where the mother’s antibodies in her blood cells start destroying the baby’s blood cells. Over the past 60 years, Harrison has made 1,173 donations, saving over 2.4 million babies.
James Harrison Began Donating at the age of 18
James always knew that he wanted to start donating blood and started as soon as he turned 18 years old. The reason why he started donating on a weekly base was because he needed 13 units of blood that were needed during a surgery he had when he was just 14 years old.
However, when he started, he just wanted to donate his blood. He had no idea of the rare plasma composition he had. So, as soon he got the news that his blood could help save the lives of babies, he started donating more frequently. Over 60 years, Harrison has made 1173 donations! Even though James was just a good person who wanted to help others and give them a chance like he was given, his contributions earned him a medal. He received the Medal Of the Order of Australia! Unfortunately, he had to retire his donations in 2018 when he turned 81, but he will forever be remembered as the man with the golden arm!