Lifesaving Blood Donor Who Helped Over 2 Million Babies, Passed Away At 88
James Harrison, the Australian blood donor credited with saving over two million babies, has died at age 88. Known for carrying a rare antibody called Anti-D in his plasma, Harrison donated blood more than 1,100 times over his lifetime, according to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
He began donating at age 18 after receiving life-saving transfusions as a teen and continued every two weeks until age 81. Harrison passed away peacefully on February 17 in a nursing home north of Sydney.
Lifeblood praised his unwavering dedication, noting he never missed an appointment and always gave without expecting anything in return. His plasma helped protect countless newborns from Rhesus disease, with 17% of Australian pregnant women requiring anti-D treatment.
In 1999, Harrison was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, though he remained humble, saying, “I just go on my way… no problem, no hardship.” He remains a national hero and an inspiration to blood donors worldwide.
