2 Million Babies Saved and Counting!

Australian James Harrison, 74, has donated blood 984 times so far. While the sheer number of his donations is admirable, what makes Harrison’s story special is that he has a very rare type of blood containing a unique antibody which is used to save the lives of babies with Rhesus disease.

The ‘man with the golden arm’ as he is aptly named is thought to have saved 2.2 million babies so far, including his own grandson. Harrison volunteered to undergo countless tests in order to help researchers develop the Anti-D vaccine.

Harrison’s rare blood is given to mothers to help them deliver healthy babies; it is also given to babies after they are born as a preventative measure.

At the age of 14, Harrison underwent chest surgery which required 13 litres of blood. As his own life was saved, he decided to pay it forward to others and has been regularly donating his blood since he turned 18.

To read the full article from the Daily Mail, click here.