Australia’s Medical Hero James Harrison, Who Helped Millions, Dies at 88

James Harrison, the Australian whose rare blood helped save 2.4 million newborns, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 17, 2025, at the age of 88. 

Known as the “Man with the Golden Arm,” Harrison’s unmatched commitment to blood donation transformed medical history, offering hope and survival to generations of babies at risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). 

Harrison’s journey as a blood donor began with his own survival story. At 14, he underwent major lung surgery and required multiple blood transfusions. The experience left a profound impact on him. 

“After the surgery, his dad, Reg, told grandad you’re only really alive because people donated blood,” his grandson, Jarrod Mellowship, recalled. 

Inspired by this, Harrison pledged to give back as soon as he was eligible. On his 18th birthday in 1954, he made his first donation—a commitment he would keep for the next six decades. 

Despite having an aversion to needles, Harrison remained unwavering in his mission. He donated blood every two weeks, making a staggering 1,173 donations until 2018, when he was forced to retire due to age restrictions. 

Harrison’s blood was unique. It contained a rare and powerful antibody known as Anti-D, used in the development of a life-saving injection for RhD-negative pregnant women. 

Without this treatment, a mother’s immune system could attack the red blood cells of her unborn baby, leading to stillbirths, miscarriages, or severe complications. Before Anti-D was introduced in the 1960s, thousands of Australian babies succumbed to HDFN each year. 

Jemma Falkenmire of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service described the magnitude of this breakthrough: “In Australia, up until about 1967, there were literally thousands of babies dying each year, doctors didn’t know why, and it was awful. Women were having numerous miscarriages and babies were being born with brain damage. Australia was one of the first countries to discover a blood donor with this antibody, so it was quite revolutionary at the time.” 

Dr. David De Leacy, a retired Australian pathologist, emphasized the impact of Anti-D: “The disease is now an historical problem thanks to Anti-D.” 

Harrison’s humanitarian impact extended beyond the general public—it touched his own family. His daughter, Tracey Mellowship, was among the recipients of the Anti-D injection. 

“As an Anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations,” she said. 

His grandson, Jarrod Mellowship, also highlighted how Harrison’s legacy lives on within their own lineage. “My mother needed the treatment when my brother and I were born, and my own wife, Rebecca, needed the treatment when three of our four children were born.” 

In 2005, Harrison was recognized by Guinness World Records as the person who had donated the most blood plasma in the world—a title he held until 2022. Despite the recognition, Harrison remained humble. 

“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,” said Stephen Cornelissen, CEO of the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. 

The Australian government also acknowledged his unparalleled contribution, awarding him the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1999. While Harrison’s donations have helped millions, the need for Anti-D donors remains critical. 

Australia currently has fewer than 200 Anti-D donors who assist approximately 45,000 mothers and babies each year. Scientists are working to replicate Harrison’s rare antibodies in a lab—a project fondly referred to as “James in a Jar.” 

David Irving, Lifeblood’s research director, described the effort as “the holy grail” of medical advancements, emphasizing the challenges in finding consistent donors capable of producing high-quality antibodies. 

To the world, James Harrison was a medical marvel; to those who knew him, he was simply a kind-hearted man who wanted to make a difference. 

“He was … very proud to have saved so many lives, without any cost or pain,” his daughter, Tracey, said. “It made him happy to hear about the many families like ours, who existed because of his kindness.”