When James Harrison was 14 years old, the 13 liters of blood he received as transfusions during a serious chest surgery saved his life. At that young age, he pledged to be a blood donor for life.
Today, aged 80, James has donated his blood and plasma more than a 1000 times - that is an average of one blood donation every three weeks for the last 57 years. The funny thing is that this amazing statistic pales in comparison to the next one.
Soon after he started donating blood at the age of 18, doctors called him in for a chat. James found out that his blood had a very rare antibody that doctors could use to create an injection called Anti- D, which could help pregnant mothers with RH negative blood from developing antibodies that could destroy the unborn child within them.
With more than 17% of the female population in his continent being Rh negative, James had no hesitation in agreeing to help. And he has been doing so for more than 6 decades now. The injections made from his rare blood products have saved more than 2.4 million babies, including his own daughter.
Every batch of Anti-D that has ever been made in Australia for more than five decades has come from James Harrison's blood. Imagine that.
You can read more about James Harrison - 'the man with the golden arm' - here.
~~~GUIDELINES~~~
1. Keep your post to below 500 words, as much as possible.
2. All we ask is you link to a human news story on your blog on the last Friday of each month, one that shows love, humanity and brotherhood.
3. Join us on the last Friday of each month in sharing news that warms the cockles of our heart. No story is too big or small, as long as it goes beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.
4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD Badge on your sidebar, and help us spread the word on social media. Tweets, Facebook shares, G+ shares using the #WATWB hashtag through the month most welcome. More Blogfest signups mean more friends, love and light for all of us.
5. We’ll read and comment on each others’ posts, get to know each other better, and hopefully, make or renew some friendships with everyone who signs on as participants in the coming months.
Today, aged 80, James has donated his blood and plasma more than a 1000 times - that is an average of one blood donation every three weeks for the last 57 years. The funny thing is that this amazing statistic pales in comparison to the next one.
Soon after he started donating blood at the age of 18, doctors called him in for a chat. James found out that his blood had a very rare antibody that doctors could use to create an injection called Anti- D, which could help pregnant mothers with RH negative blood from developing antibodies that could destroy the unborn child within them.
With more than 17% of the female population in his continent being Rh negative, James had no hesitation in agreeing to help. And he has been doing so for more than 6 decades now. The injections made from his rare blood products have saved more than 2.4 million babies, including his own daughter.
Every batch of Anti-D that has ever been made in Australia for more than five decades has come from James Harrison's blood. Imagine that.
You can read more about James Harrison - 'the man with the golden arm' - here.
Author's note:
WE ARE THE WORLD
Join us in sharing stories of kindness you find.
1. Keep your post to below 500 words, as much as possible.
2. All we ask is you link to a human news story on your blog on the last Friday of each month, one that shows love, humanity and brotherhood.
3. Join us on the last Friday of each month in sharing news that warms the cockles of our heart. No story is too big or small, as long as it goes beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.
4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD Badge on your sidebar, and help us spread the word on social media. Tweets, Facebook shares, G+ shares using the #WATWB hashtag through the month most welcome. More Blogfest signups mean more friends, love and light for all of us.
5. We’ll read and comment on each others’ posts, get to know each other better, and hopefully, make or renew some friendships with everyone who signs on as participants in the coming months.
There is a lot more kindness where that came from. I have compiled over 30 heroes of kindness and compassion this year, including interviews with some of them. You can find the list here.
I am Rh Negative and have used Anti-D injections twice, so I know how noble and notable is James' mission. More power to him and may his tribe increase. Thanks for sharing such an uplifting and inspiring story, Roshan!
ReplyDeleteHis is a really unique story, even from a medical point of view.
DeleteWow, I didn't think that anyone who had been given transfusions would be allowed to donate blood and blood products. Amazing story, thanks for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB
ReplyDeleteI think that must be part of how he got those antibodies.
DeleteThat is very generous of him! Here, we can only donate every 3 months - it also reminded me I can go again. Or, I can raise the bar and help organise a blood drive in our office building... food for thought!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing his story!
Andrea
https://courageouslivingjourney.wordpress.com/2017/07/28/its-dance-or-die-the-dancer-the-journalist-and-the-director-watwb/
Wow. I'm speechless: never knew such a person or donor could exist. What a wonderful way to return the life-saving donation he once received.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a story. I know of two of my relatives who lost their babies because they didn't take the Anti D injection the first time round.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting this blog fest. What a story this is. So far I haven't gone through the experience of donating blood ever so I can only imagine what this guy has achieved. Hats off to some true heroes of the world.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story. Clearly this man's blood is worth its weight in gold. Wonderful that he donates it so freely.
ReplyDeleteWow - how utterly incredible. Kudos to this kind and generous man who so clearly demonstrates passing-it-on can be taken to extraordinary lengths. What an inspiration. Thanks for sharing this story, and for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how he was donating blood every three weeks, but I guess it was doable in his case. What a wonderful legacy for him, to keep babies safe in the womb so that they may be born to this world. It is an honorable and loving thing that he does.
ReplyDeleteWow this is an amazing blessing he has which he is generously sharing with the rest of the world. Superb story as usual Doc... I love reading them as they infuse me with hope of finding goodness in the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is an extraordinary story of the man with the golden arm thanks so much for sharing it with us! Two million babies - good heavens!!!! James, you are a true hero. Thank you. (I also will not look at the needle or the bag ..or any needle for that matter).
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a part of the #WATWB ..
Wow, Dr. Roshan, that is incredible. Well done by James and his doctors, identifying the antibody early. I can hardly even wrap my head around the number of people he has helped!
ReplyDeleteEmily | My Life In Ecuador | Orphanage Teens Learn to Express Themselves Through DJing #WATWB
Amazing story about this man's rare blood type that has saved so many.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! I had to receive a transfusion as a child and if it weren't for people like James I wouldn't be here. Thanks so much for sharing this! #WATWB Hope you have a fantastic weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI am Rh ngative and I can appeeciate this man's kindness deeply .Its because of people like him that babiies survive in RH negative mom.Great post Dr.Roshan.Lovely linKing uo with #WATWB
ReplyDeleteThat is SO AMAZING! My son gave blood today. His twin brother went with him, but they had already booked up all the spots today. Good news.
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Wow. Mr. Harrison has taken "giving of oneself" to a new height. Inspiring. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteHi Dr Roshan - yes as with everyone else - what an amazing story ... and so wonderful he was that person with the special blood ... absolutely incredible to read about ... millions of babies - how extraorinary ... cheers and thank you for sharing James' story with us - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful thing. My mother, brother, my son and I are all RHnegative so I have seen the issues involved. My mom almost died twice!
ReplyDeleteGod bless Mr Harrison. Such a noble task he does.
Thank you so much! In Darkness, Be Light. Team #WATWB
*Inderpreet/EloquentArticulation*
Great article, Thanks for your great information, the content is quiet interesting. I will be waiting for your next post.
ReplyDeleteTo think that a young man who was once seriously unwell has helped to improve the lives of so many others. What an extraordinary life has James, the man with the golden arm. Thanks for sharing, Roshan Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
ReplyDeleteHey keep posting such good and meaningful articles.
ReplyDeleteMy mom almost died twice! God bless Mr Harrison. Such a noble task he does.
ReplyDeleteแตกใน xxx