James Harrison of Australia, whose blood had a rare antibody, donated 1,173 times over six decades, potentially saving millions of lives. He said he hoped someone would break his record.

Summary

James Harrison, an Australian blood donor known as the “man with the golden arm,” has died at 88.

His rare antibody helped create the anti-D medication, preventing a fatal blood disorder in unborn babies.

Over 60 years, he donated blood and plasma 1,173 times, contributing to over 3 million doses of anti-D given to 2 million mothers.

Honored with the Medal of the Order of Australia, Harrison leaves behind a lasting medical legacy. Researchers are now working to develop a lab-grown version of the life-saving antibody.

  • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    3·
    20 hours ago

    Researchers have been working on using his blood and that of some others to create a synthetic source but aren’t there yet. Even when/if they create the lab-grown antibodies, they will have to be tested for safety before you can start injecting them into pregnant women. Remember thalidomide? (Well probably not, but we know the story of how badly that went.)