Photo credit: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

Not all superheroes wear capes—some just roll up their sleeves. And when it comes to saving lives, few can claim a legacy as extraordinary as James Harrison, Australia’s very own "Man with the Golden Arm."

For more than 60 years, James was a dedicated blood donor, giving 1,173 times and helping create 2.4 million doses of a life-saving medication called anti-D. This incredible contribution protected countless babies from a deadly condition that occurs when an Rh-negative mother’s immune system attacks her Rh-positive baby’s blood.

But here’s the twist—James himself was once a recipient of donated blood. As a teenager, he underwent major surgery and received multiple transfusions, possibly leading to his extremely rare mix of RhD-negative blood with Rh-positive antibodies. This unique trait made his blood invaluable for producing anti-D, something only a small group of fewer than 200 donors in Australia can do.

Thanks in part to James’ dedication, Australia became the first country to be self-sufficient in anti-D supply. But all good things must come to an end—James made his final donation in May 2018, retiring at 81 years old. His parting words? “I hope it’s a record that somebody breaks, because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause.”

Sadly, James passed away in February 2025 at the age of 88, but his impact will never be forgotten. His generosity saved millions of lives, and his story is a powerful reminder of how one person can make a world of difference.

Think you could be the next record-breaking donor? Your blood could be the next life-saving miracle.