Vale James Harrison OAM

The world’s most prolific blood and plasma donor, James Harrison OAM, has passed away aged 88.

Often referred to as the ‘Man with the Golden Arm’, James was known internationally for saving the lives of more than 2 million babies by generously donating plasma more than 1,100 times.

James’ plasma contained the rare and precious antibody, Anti-D, which is used to make the life-saving medication given to mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies.

After receiving many life-saving blood transfusions following lung surgery as a 14-year-old, James awoke in the ICU determined to give back.

Encouraged by his blood donor father, James started donating in 1954 at the age of 18 and never missed a single appointment, donating fortnightly until his retirement in 2018, aged 81.

His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, said he would be greatly missed by their family, mostly for his sense of humour.

“James was a humanitarian at heart, but also very funny,” Tracey said.

“In his last years, he was immensely proud to become a great grandfather to two beautiful grandchildren, Trey and Addison. As an Anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations.

“He was also very proud to have saved so many lives, without any cost or pain. It made him happy to hear about the many families like ours, who existed because of his kindness.

“He always said it does not hurt, and the life you save could be your own,” she added.

Lifeblood Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cornelissen AM paid tribute to James and his extraordinary generosity.

“James was a remarkable, stoically kind, and generous person who was committed to a lifetime of giving and he captured the hearts of many people around the world,” Stephen said.

“It was James’ belief that his donations were no more important than any other donors’, and that everyone can be special in the same way that he was.

“James extended his arm to help others and babies he would never know a remarkable 1173 times and expected nothing in return. He continued to donate even in his darkest days, after the passing of his wife Barbara, who was also a blood donor, and helped inspire his career as a lifesaver.

“He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and it was his hope that one day, someone in Australia would beat his donation record.

“On behalf of Lifeblood, and the entire Australian community, we thank James for the incredible life-saving contribution he made and the millions of lives he saved.”

James, the boy from Junee in Australia, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Peninsula Village Nursing Home on Monday, February 17.

It’s hoped that James’ blood may continue to save lives, with Lifeblood and a research team from WEHI working together to create what has been dubbed "James in a Jar" - a quest to grow the Anti-D antibody in the lab. Using the blood of James and other donors, the team has successfully recreated and grown his antibody in the lab - with the hope it will one day help prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn, not just for pregnant women in Australia, but also worldwide. 

Background - James in a Jar

Since Anti D was discovered in the 60s, mothers and babies worldwide have relied on the kindness of a small group of blood donors who can provide the precious antibody used to make it. 

Creating a new therapy has long been a "holy grail" with a scarcity of donors committed to regular donation as well as being able to produce antibodies in sufficient quality and quantity.

In Australia, we have 200 Anti D donors, who help around 45,000 mothers and their babies annually. 

Professor Wicks and Dr Behnaz Heydarchi from WEHI have taken blood and immune cells from James, and other donors, to recreate anti-RhD antibodies in the Lab. The hope is that this work will help prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn, not just for pregnant women in Australia, but also worldwide. 

For now, these donors remain vitally important – their blood is the only way we can prevent this disease.