James Harrison, nicknamed “The Man With the Golden Arm”, has passed away at 88 on 17th February 2025
He began donating plasma at 18 and continued every two weeks until he was 81.
In 2005, he held the world record for the most blood plasma donations, a title he retained until 2022 when a donor from the US surpassed him.
He donated his rare plasma over 1,100 times for a period of sixty years, saving an estimated 2.4 million babies worldwide. Harrison’s blood contained the rare Anti-D antibody, used in medicines administered to pregnant mothers to prevent their blood from attacking their unborn babies.
His journey as a donor started at 14 when he underwent major lung surgery. He required intensive care and multiple blood transfusions, which left him determined to give back and continued donating every two weeks for 64 years until he was 81.
Despite his fear of needles, he kept his promise to donate as soon as he was eligible at 18. He was inspired by his father, who was a regular blood donor.
What is Anti-D?
Harrison’s plasma contained the rare and vital anti-D antibody.
This antibody is used to produce medication that prevents haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN), a serious and potentially life-threatening condition where a pregnant woman’s immune system attacks her baby’s red blood cells.
HDFN occurs when the mother’s blood type is incompatible with that of her unborn child. The mother’s immune system perceives the baby’s red blood cells as a threat and generates antibodies to destroy them. This can lead to severe anaemia, heart failure, or even death.
james harrison blood donor religion
Hailing from New South Wales, James Harrison is among the very few people in Australia to have as much Anti-D needed for donation which have played a significant role to cure Rhesus disease, also known as RhD.
He has ‘golden blood’. Blood that given at birth can prevent complications for newborns.
After the first few donations, it was discovered that his blood contained unusually strong and persistent antibodies against the D Rh group antigen. The discovery of these antibodies led to the development of immunoglobulin-based products to prevent haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
Plasma can be donated 2 times a week. Whole blood (with cells) 4 weeks or more apart.
The immunoglobin is in the plasma.
I have done some research and education on immunoglobin and plasma. Part of my immune system is missing, I get gamma globulin every 4 weeks. It takes 1000 plasma donors to make one batch (not sure how many units are in batch).
Please donate plasma if you can. Usually plasma is a paid donation. Many college areas have donation sites. They find more uses every day.
What does donating plasma mean? Is it just blood donation?
No, it is not just blood donation!! If you have donated components of blood separately, you will understand it better!! Basically it is collecting the requisite amount of a single component of blood from a single donor safely!! So, when you donate plasma, you are hooked to an apheresis machine through a single needle and after centrifuging the blood from you, required component in this case plasma is collected in a bag and rest of the blood flows back to you through the same needle!! Process repeated till around 350 to 400 ml plasma is collected!!
Why did James Harrison stop donating blood?
Australian-born James Harrison is the most famous blood donor in the world. He holds the world record for blood donation – making 1173 whole blood and blood plasma donations.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service request blood donors retire from blood donation at age 81. As James has reached this age, he had to stop donating blood.