Man Who Has Saved The Lives Of Over 2 Million Babies Makes His Final Blood Donation
May 11, 2018
James Harrison's extraordinary blood has saved the lives of more than 2 million babies. Today, he made his final blood donation.
Credit: 9News.com
Every two weeks for the past 61 years, Harrison has made a trip to the Red Cross blood bank in Central Coast, Australia.
The 81-year-old has a rare antibody in his bloodstream that is used to make a lifesaving medication called Anti-D, which infants need if they have an opposite blood type to their mother. If they don't have it the newborn could die.
Since learning about the antibody in his bloodstream in 1957, Harrison has made 1,173 blood donations. But, because of his age, today is the last time he'll do it, and if it wasn't up to the doctors, he'd keep on providing it.
Photo: Steven Siewert / The Sydney Morning Herald
"It's a sad day for me. The end of a long run," Harrison told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"I've saved a lot of lives and brought a lot of new kids into the world. So that makes me feel good," he said.
Attempts to create a synthetic version of the antibody have so far failed. Australia's Anti-D program is wholly dependent on just 160 donors.
"Every ampule of Anti-D ever made in Australia has James in it," said Robyn Barlow, the Rh program coordinator who recruited James, the program's first donor.
"Since the very first mother received her dose at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1967. It's an enormous thing ... He has saved millions of babies. I cry just thinking about it."
Harrison currently holds a Guinness world record for his efforts but he hopes that it will be broken - because that means another two million lives can be saved.
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Couple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It
These Are The Movie Scenes People Say Are Absolutely Flawless
Hungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand
Wild Orcas Keep Giving Humans Gifts, Leaving Experts Puzzled
My Girlfriend Gifted Me My Father’s Handwriting To Keep Forever
We Can’t Stop Looking At These Adorable Baby Loon Photos Taken On A Lake
The Funniest Dog Reactions To Hearing 'Walk' — You’ll Be Laughing Out Loud
Hero Dog Named RAMBO Scares Off Masked Robbers To Save Woman
'Am I Allowed To Be This Happy?' The Moment A Nervous Foster Dog Finally Lies In A Dog Bed
Grandma Thinks She's 60. Her Reaction To Learning She's 90 Is Priceless
Autistic Son Says 'Bye Daddy' And Leaves Mom And Dad In Tears