Meet James Harrison, The Man Who Saved The Lives Of Over 2 Million Babies
Over the years, Harrison donated blood more than 1,100 times, making an invaluable contribution to the Australian Red Cross. However, his journey took an extraordinary turn when doctors discovered a unique quality in his blood¡ªa rare antibody that could combat a life-threatening condition known as rhesus disease.
Australian man James Harrison, known as "the man with the golden arm," is credited with saving over 2.4 million babies' lives through his consistent blood donations. For 60 years, Harrison donated blood weekly until his retirement in 2018.
What's so special about his plasma?
His blood contains unique antibodies that have been crucial in developing Anti-D injections, used to combat rhesus disease in newborns. Harrison's selfless act has had a significant impact on global healthcare.
The condition affects some pregnant women where antibodies in the blood start attacking their unborn babies (called rhesus D hemolytic disease or HDN). The condition develops when a pregnant woman has rhesus-negative blood and the baby in her womb has rhesus-positive, inherited from his father, as per CNN.
james-harrison
His journey
James Harrison's journey began at the age of 14 when he underwent significant chest surgery. Surviving the critical time was attributed to blood donations, inspiring Harrison to make a commitment to become a blood donor himself. This personal experience fueled his dedication to regular blood donations and ultimately led to his extraordinary impact on saving millions of lives.
Over the years, Harrison donated blood more than 1,100 times, making an invaluable contribution to the Australian Red Cross. However, his journey took an extraordinary turn when doctors discovered a unique quality in his blood¡ªa rare antibody that could combat a life-threatening condition known as rhesus disease.
Game-changer for medical community
James Harrison¡¯s selfless dedication to blood donation and the subsequent discovery of his unique antibodies have been nothing short of a game-changer for the medical community. Though doctors are uncertain about the origins of his rare blood type, they suspect that the transfusions he received during his adolescence might be the key.
Harrison made his final blood donation in 2018, having reached the maximum age allowed for donors in Australia.
For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.
Senior Writer at Indiatimes. She writes on Lifestyle, fashion, beauty, astrology and health.
