James Harrison, an extraordinary Australian blood donor known as the “Man with the Golden Arm,” passed away at 88 years old, leaving behind a legacy that saved millions of lives. His blood contained a rare and valuable antibody, anti-D, which was crucial in developing treatments that have protected approximately 2.4 million babies from the potentially fatal hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Harrison's journey began at age 18 when he made his first blood donation, motivated by a desire to help others after receiving blood transfusions during a major lung surgery as a teenager. He continued to donate plasma every two weeks for more than six decades, never missing an appointment until he retired in 2018. Throughout his lifetime, he completed a remarkable 1,173 donations, which earned him global recognition, including a 2005 record from Guinness World Records for the highest number of plasma donations.

According to Harrison’s family, he passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 17, 2025, at a nursing home in New South Wales. His grandson, Jarrod Mellowship, shared that Harrison's commitment to donate blood was driven by a genuine desire to help others, despite his aversion to needles. “He just kept going, and going, and going,” Mellowship recounted, emphasizing his grandfather's dedication.

Harrison’s plasma’s unique anti-D antibody was integral in creating lifesaving injections that prevent complications during pregnancies where the mother's blood type is Rh-negative and the baby’s is Rh-positive. The significance of Harrison’s contributions cannot be overstated, as the Australian Red Cross Blood Service noted that his donations have directly helped around 45,000 mothers and their babies each year.

Throughout his life, Harrison exhibited remarkable humility, often stating that he did not seek any special recognition for his actions; he simply wished to make a difference for those in need. His family, including his daughter, Tracey Mellowship, who received anti-D treatment during her pregnancies, continues to celebrate his legacy and contributions to public health.

As a testament to his lasting impact, researchers are currently engaged in a project titled “James in a Jar,” which aims to synthesize the anti-D antibody to facilitate mass production of the lifesaving treatment, ultimately broadening its accessibility worldwide. Harrison's life of service and his profound dedication to saving others will remain an inspiration for generations of blood donors.

His passing has left a profound sadness within the community, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on through the lives he saved and the advancements in medical research inspired by his remarkable altruism.