History of James Harrison (blood donor) in Timeline

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By Popular Timelines Editorial Team  · Updated:
James Harrison (blood donor)

James Christopher Harrison, known as the "Man with the Golden Arm," was an Australian blood plasma donor whose plasma contained rare antibodies crucial for treating Rh disease, a condition where a mother's Rh-negative blood endangers her Rh-positive fetus. Starting at age 18, he donated a remarkable 1,173 times until his retirement at 81 on May 11, 2018. His extraordinary contributions are credited with saving the lives of countless babies affected by Rh disease.


December 1936: James Harrison's birth in Junee, NSW

In December 1936, James Christopher Harrison was born in Junee, New South Wales, to Peggy and Reginald Harrison.

December 1936: James Harrison's birth

In December 1936, James Christopher Harrison was born.

May 2011: Harrison's 1,000th donation

In May 2011, James Harrison made his 1,000th blood plasma donation, averaging one donation every three weeks for 57 years.

May 2018: Harrison's final donation

On 11 May 2018, James Harrison made his 1,173rd and final blood donation, as Australian policy prohibits donations past the age of 81.

February 2025: James Harrison's death

On 17 February 2025, James Harrison passed away in his sleep at the Peninsula Villages nursing home in Umina Beach, at the age of 88.