Man who saved the lives of over 2 million babies dies aged 88
James Harrison OAM, the famous Australian blood donor who saved the lives of 2.4 million babies by donating his rare plasma, has died aged 88.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has confirmed that Harrison died "peacefully" on February 17 at Peninsula Village Nursing Home on the NSW Central Coast.
Harrison, also known as the Man with the Golden Arm, began donating in the 1950s became the world's most prolific blood and plasma donor thanks to his rare antibody, Anti-D, which helps mothers who are at risk of passing on deadly antibodies to their babies.
Since he started donating at the age of 18, Harrison has donated 1173 times, continuing his kind act up until his retirement in 2018 aged 81.
His family have since paid tribute to him, with his daughter Tracey Mellowship, remembering him as a generous soul.
"James was a humanitarian at heart, but also very funny," she 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."
Lifeblood Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cornelissen added that Harrison's impact has made a difference all around the world.
"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," Cornelissen 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 leaves behind an incredible legacy, and it was his hope that one day, someone in Australia would beat his donation record," he added.
"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."
Harrison's rare blood and plasma may continue to save lives even after his death, with researches hoping they would be able to use his blood to develop lab-grown Anti-D.
Image: Nine News