A 78-year-old man in Australia is being recognized for his contribution in helping save the lives of two million babies by donating his blood.
When central coast native James Harrison suddenly found himself with a serious illness at the age of 14, he was given 13 units, or two gallons-worth, of donated blood.
"I was in the hospital for three months and I had 100 stitches," he said.
After recovering from his condition, the young Harrison made a vow to give back by donating his blood once he was old enough, and as soon as he turned 18 years old, he began regularly donating his plasma and blood.
"I was always looking forward to donating, right from the operation, because I don't know how many people it took to save my life," Harrison said. "I never met them, didn't know them."
While Harrison was busy keeping his word in donating his blood, doctors had been struggling to deal with the effects of the rhesus isoimmunization or Rh disease in the country. The potentially fatal disease when a pregnant woman has a blood type that is Rh-negative while the child she is carrying has an Rh-positive blood type.
The condition causes the antibodies of mothers with Rh-negative blood to attack the red blood cells of their child while still in their womb. To prevent this reaction, scientists had to obtain sample of a blood that contains the rare Rh (D) immune globulin, or anti-D, antibody, and they found it in Harrison's blood.
According to doctors, Harrison could have developed the antibody after he received the blood transfusion when he was a teenager. He became the first and most prolific donor of anti-D in Australia, and he was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for his contribution.
"I was prepared and wanted to give something back," Harrison said. "And I've been donating for 60 years."
Harrison's blood donation has helped saved the lives of an estimated two million infants, including his very own grandson, Scott.
Scott also became a blood donor, just like his grandfather, when he turned 16 years old.
Harrison said that he is proud that his whole family has become blood donors as well.
At 78-years-old, Harrison still has about three more years to continue his life's work in donating blood, but according to the medical rules, he will have to retire from his donating when he turns 81 years old.
"Some people say, 'Oh, you're a hero,' but I'm in a safe room, donating blood," Harrison said. "They give me a cup of coffee and something to nibble on. And then I just go on my way."
"No problem, no hardship."
