Man Saves Over 2 Million Babies Through Rare Antibodies in His Blood

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James Harrison, 78, is known as the "The Man with the Golden Arm" due to his blood plasma donations over the years, which has saved the lives of over 2 million babies.

While every blood donation is appreciated, Harrison's is special due to the rare antibodies in his blood, explains CNN.

The rare antibodies in Harrison's blood have helped doctors in Australia develop a vaccine called Anti-D to treat a blood disease, which predominantly affects pregnant women in Australia.

The Inquistr reports that Harrison decided to become a blood donor at 18 because of the help he received during an operation for lung removal when he was 14.

After the operation, James' father told him that his life was saved by the 13 liters of blood he received, which were all donated by unknown people.

In 1955, when Harrison was finally old enough to donate blood, doctors discovered that the 18-years-old has rare antibodies in his blood, which could possibly help treat a certain blood disease that was affecting many Australian women at the time.

Jemma Falkenmire, from the Australian Red Cross, explains to CNN that during the 1960s, thousands of babies were either dying or being born with brain damage in Australia.

Doctors were initially baffled at what actually caused the numerous miscarriages and cases of brain damage among newborns at the time. It was later discovered that it was due to Rhesus disease, Fox News has learned. 

Rhesus disease occurs when a mother with rhesus-negative blood (RhD negative) has a baby with rhesus-positive blood (RhD positive).

After a woman with RhD negative blood has been exposed to RhD positive blood through her baby, the body usually forms antibodies that will eliminate RhD positive blood cells, explains Fox News.

If a woman with RhD negative blood has another child with RhD postive blood, the antibodies her body developed from her previous child with the same blood type will harm the second baby. This results in a miscarriage or brain damage in the baby.

Fortunately, thanks to Harrison's blood, doctors have been able to develop the Anti-D vaccine, which prevents women with RhD-negative blood from developing RhD antibodies during pregnancy.

To date, Harrison has donated his plasma more than 1,000 times, states CNN. The man with the golden arm has saved millions of babies, including his own grandson. Apparently, Harrison's own daughter needed the Anti-D vaccine during her second pregnancy.

Despite having donated so many times, Harrison has admitted that he has never actually looked at a needle, penetrating into his arm. He told CNN, "I can't stand the sight of blood, and I can't stand the pain."