Tejal Somvanshi
James Harrison, Australia’s most dedicated blood donor whose rare plasma saved 2.4 million babies worldwide, died peacefully in his sleep at a nursing home in New South Wales on February 17, 2025, at the age of 88.
A Lifesaving Legacy
Harrison’s blood contained a rare antibody called Anti-D, crucial for preventing Haemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN). This condition occurs when a pregnant woman’s blood is incompatible with her unborn baby’s, causing her immune system to attack the baby’s red blood cells.
“James was a remarkable, stoically kind, and generous person who was committed to a lifetime of giving and he captured the hearts of many people around the world,” said Lifeblood Chief Executive Stephen Cornelissen in a statement.
Six Decades of Donations
Harrison donated blood and plasma 1,173 times between 1954 and 2018, starting at age 18 and continuing until he reached 81, the maximum age for blood donation in Australia. According to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, he “never missed a single appointment” and “expected nothing in return.”
His motivation came from personal experience. At 14, Harrison underwent major lung surgery requiring nearly two gallons of donated blood. This experience inspired him to become a donor himself despite his aversion to needles.
Family Impact
Harrison’s daughter, Tracey Mellowship, was among the estimated 17% of Australian women who need Anti-D injections during pregnancy.
“As an Anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations,” Mellowship said. “He was immensely proud to have welcomed two great-grandchildren in his final years.”
The entire Harrison family became blood donors, including his late wife Barbara and his grandson Scott, who made his first donation seated next to Harrison during his 1,000th donation in 2011.
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Medical Breakthrough
Before Anti-D interventions were developed in the mid-1960s, one in two babies diagnosed with HDFN died. Australian officials have called the discovery of Harrison’s antibodies a medical breakthrough.
“In Australia, up until about 1967, there were 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,” Jemma Falkenmire of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service told CNN in 2015.
It remains unclear exactly how Harrison’s blood became rich in Anti-D antibodies, though some reports suggest it may be related to the blood transfusions he received as a teenager.
Continuing His Legacy
While Harrison retired from donating at age 81, his contributions to medical science continue. Lifeblood is working with Australia’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Australia’s oldest research institute, on a project called “James in a Jar,” which aims to recreate and grow Harrison’s antibodies in a laboratory.
“Using the blood of James and other donors, the team has successfully recreated and grown his antibody in the lab — with the hope it will one day help prevent [HDFN], not just for pregnant women in Australia, but also worldwide,” Lifeblood reported.
“Creating a new therapy has long been a ‘holy grail,'” said Lifeblood’s research director David Irving, noting the scarcity of donors able to produce antibodies in sufficient quality and quantity.
Australia currently has fewer than 200 Anti-D donors who help approximately 45,000 mothers and babies annually.
Recognition
Harrison received numerous awards for his generosity, including the Medal of the Order of Australia, one of the country’s highest honours, in 1999. He was also recognized by Guinness World Records in 2005 for his record-breaking blood plasma donations, a title he held until he was surpassed by a donor in the United States in 2022.
Despite the accolades, Harrison remained humble about his contributions. “Some people say, ‘Oh, you’re a hero,'” he told NPR. “But I’m in a safe room, donating blood. They give me a cup of coffee and something to nibble on. And then I just go on my way… No problem, no hardship.”
When forced to retire in 2018, Harrison expressed hope that others would continue his mission: “I hope it’s a record that somebody breaks because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause.”
