Australian whose blood saved 2.4 million babies dies

One of the world’s most blood donors – who saved the lives of more than two million children – died.

James Harrison died in his sleep in a nursing home in New South Wales, Australia on February 17, his family said on Monday. It was 88.

Harrison’s blood in Australia contained a man who carries the golden arm, a rare anti -ant antibiotic body, which is used to make drugs given to pregnant mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their children who have not yet been born.

The Australian Red Cross blood service, which praised Harrison, said he pledged to become a donor after receiving transportation while undergoing a large chest surgery when he was 14 years old.

His blood plasma began to donate his blood when he was 18 years old and he continued every two weeks until he was 81 years old.

In 2005, he received the world record for most blood plasma – a title he occupied until 2022 when a man in the United States surpassed him.

Harrison’s daughter, Tris Milling, said her father “is very proud to save a lot of lives, without any cost or pain.”

“He always said it does not harm, and the life you save may be your own,” she said.

Two of Harrison’s descendants also tend to anti -vaccinations for D.

“I made [James] I am happy to hear about the many families like our factors, which were present because of his kindness. “

It protects the anti -children control of children who have not yet been born from deadly blood disorder called cash disease in the fetus and newborns, or HDFN.

The condition occurs when pregnant when the red blood cells of the mother are not compatible with her growing child.

Then the mother’s immune system sees the child’s blood cells a threat and produces antibodies to attack them. This can seriously harm the child, causing severe anemia, heart failure, or even death.

Before developing anti -aid interventions in the mid -1960s, one of each two children died with HDFN.

It is unclear how Harrison’s blood became very rich in ant antibiotics, but some reports said it was related to the massive blood transfusion he received at fourteen.

There are less than 200 donors to fight D in Australia, but they help about 45,000 mothers and their children every year, according to the Australian Blood Red service, also known as LifeBlood.

LifeBlood works with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Australia Medical Research to develop antibodies to D in the laboratory by repeating the blood cells and immunity from Harrison and other donors.

Researchers involved in the laboratory can one day be used to help pregnant women all over the world.

“The creation of a new treatment was” a sacred cup, “said David Irving, director of life research in life.

He pointed to the scarcity of donors committed to regular donation, who are able to produce antibodies with sufficient quality and quantity.