Known as the ‘man with the golden arm’, James Harrison’s blood contained a rare antibody that saved millions of lives.
Archived version: https://archive.is/20250303054226/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y4xqe60gyo
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Known in Australia as the man with the golden arm, Harrison’s blood contained a rare antibody, Anti-D, which is used to make medication given to pregnant mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service who paid tribute to Harrison, said he had pledged to become a donor after receiving transfusions while undergoing a major chest surgery when he was 14.
He started donating his blood plasma when he was 18 and continued doing so every two weeks until he was 81.
There are exceptional people in this world
Yeah, they gave him a special exception for the usual 65 cutoff.
Rare someone has such a one-sided positive legacy
This is a very rare case where how this man died, I’ve no complaints. Done such a wonderful and humanitarian thing for so many lives. You deserve the rest, sir.
Individuals make a difference. The choices we make ripple out and affect others, sometimes many others.
Legend
