The Australian blood donor who has saved the lives of 2.4 million babies has offered up his “golden arm” for the last time.
Affectionately known as “the man with the golden arm,” 81-year-old James Harrison has made over 1173 donations over the course of 60 years, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. That’s up to 800ml of blood once a week for six decades.
Harrison’s blood is highly sought after because it contains unusual antibodies that can fight Rhesus D hemolytic disease, which causes molecules in a pregnant woman’s blood to kill her baby’s blood cells.
Based on national birth data since 1964, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service believes Harrison has helped prevent the deaths of 2.4 million babies. But as blood donors in Australia must generally be below 71, doctors warned Harrison must now stop in order to protect his health.
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