James Harrison (blood donor)
Encyclopedia
James Harrison, OAM
, also known as the Man with the golden arm, is a blood donor from Australia
. He holds the world record for blood donations by an individual, and his donations have saved over two million babies from Rhesus disease.
In the fifty-six years since his first donation, he has donated more than 1,000 times. This amount of donations is also a world record. After the first few donations, it was discovered that his blood contained a rare antibody that prevents infants who receive his blood from dying of Rhesus disease, a deadly form of anemia. This blood is given to one in ten women whose blood is not compatible with that of their children.
The uniqueness of his blood also created the Anti-D vaccine
. When he originally began donating blood, his life was insured for one million dollars. He reached his 1,000th donation in May 2011. His blood has helped to save around two million babies with hundreds of thousands of women being treated with his antibodies.
.
medal (OAM). He was nominated for Australian of the Year
, though he did not win. In 2011, he was nominated in the New South Wales Local Hero division of the Australian of the Year
awards.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, also known as the Man with the golden arm, is a blood donor from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He holds the world record for blood donations by an individual, and his donations have saved over two million babies from Rhesus disease.
Biography
James Harrison was born in 1936. At the age of 13, he underwent a major chest surgery to extract a lung with metastasized pneumonia, and required 13 liters of blood. After surgery, he was in the hospital for three months. Realizing that the blood had saved his life, he made a pledge to start donating blood as soon as he turned eighteen.In the fifty-six years since his first donation, he has donated more than 1,000 times. This amount of donations is also a world record. After the first few donations, it was discovered that his blood contained a rare antibody that prevents infants who receive his blood from dying of Rhesus disease, a deadly form of anemia. This blood is given to one in ten women whose blood is not compatible with that of their children.
The uniqueness of his blood also created the Anti-D vaccine
Rho(D) Immune Globulin
Rho Immune Globulin is a medicine given by intramuscular injection that is used to prevent the immunological condition known as Rhesus disease...
. When he originally began donating blood, his life was insured for one million dollars. He reached his 1,000th donation in May 2011. His blood has helped to save around two million babies with hundreds of thousands of women being treated with his antibodies.
Advocacy
In 2007, Harrison was critical of plans to open up Australia's plasma donation to foreign corporations. He believes that opening up the trade will discourage volunteers from donations. This opening of trade stemmed from a review of the country's free trade agreement with the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Honors
Harrison has received an Order of AustraliaOrder of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
medal (OAM). He was nominated for Australian of the Year
Australian of the Year
Since 1960 the Australian of the Year Award has been part of the celebrations surrounding Australia Day , during which time the award has grown steadily in significance to become Australia’s pre-eminent award. The Australian of the Year announcement has become a very prominent part of the annual...
, though he did not win. In 2011, he was nominated in the New South Wales Local Hero division of the Australian of the Year
Australian of the Year
Since 1960 the Australian of the Year Award has been part of the celebrations surrounding Australia Day , during which time the award has grown steadily in significance to become Australia’s pre-eminent award. The Australian of the Year announcement has become a very prominent part of the annual...
awards.