globalpositivenews James Harrison, known as the “Man with the Golden Arm,” donated blood and plasma 1,173 times between 1954 and 2018. He started donating at 18 to repay strangers who saved his life with blood transfusions when he was 14.
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His plasma contained a rare antibody called anti-D. It prevents a potentially fatal condition when a pregnant person’s blood is incompatible with their unborn baby’s.
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James is credited with helping save 2.4 million babies.
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“I was always looking forward to donating, right from the operation, because I don’t know how many people it took to save my life,” he commented.
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In February 2025, James passed away peacefully at his home in Australia at the age of 88.
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h/t: NPR
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