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James Harrison, whose blood donations saved >2M babies, has died

Harrison, whose plasma contained a rare antibody, rolled up his sleeve 1,173 times from 1954 to 2018. The Australian is credited with helping 2.4 million babies and advancing scientific research.

"James was a remarkable, stoically kind, and generous person who was committed to a lifetime of giving and he captured the hearts of many people around the world," Lifeblood CEO Stephen Cornelissen said in a statement. toggle caption Simon Alekna/Fairfax Media Archive via Getty Images He made his last donation in May 2018, surrounded by half a dozen grateful mothers holding babies who benefited from the anti-D program. "Using the blood of James and other donors, the team has successfully recreated and grown his antibody in the lab — with the hope it will one day help prevent [HDFN], not just for pregnant women in Australia, but also worldwide," it says.

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