James Harrison of Australia, whose blood had a rare antibody, donated 1,173 times over six decades, potentially saving millions of lives. He said he hoped someone would break his record.

Summary

James Harrison, an Australian blood donor known as the “man with the golden arm,” has died at 88.

His rare antibody helped create the anti-D medication, preventing a fatal blood disorder in unborn babies.

Over 60 years, he donated blood and plasma 1,173 times, contributing to over 3 million doses of anti-D given to 2 million mothers.

Honored with the Medal of the Order of Australia, Harrison leaves behind a lasting medical legacy. Researchers are now working to develop a lab-grown version of the life-saving antibody.

  • Th4tGuyII@fedia.io
    2·
    2 months ago

    Not to downplay the quite frankly astounding achievement of James and his cohort of Anti-D donors, but I’m surprised that nobody has figured out how to make an synthetic anti-D in the 60 years he was donating blood for