Man with rare antibodies has saved 2 million babies’ lives through blood donations

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http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/06/10/man-with-rare-antibodies-has-saved-2-million-babies-lives-through-blood/">Man with rare antibodies has saved 2 million babies' lives through blood donations



James Harrison, 78, has been dubbed "The Man with the Golden Arm" and a national hero in Australia for saving 2 million newborns' lives by donating his plasma, Fox 13 Now reported.



Harrison, who lives near Australia's central coast, has a rare blood type in his right arm that contains life-saving antibodies. Doctors suspect he developed the antibody during a chest operation when he was 14, when doctors removed a lung.



When his father told him other, unknown people's blood donations saved his life, Harrison vowed to do the same once he was allowed to, at age 18 in Australia. Every week for the past 60 years, doctors have used his antibodies to create the vaccine Anti-D, which is used to treat pregnant women with a blood disease that can lead to birth complications. He has donated his plasma more than 1,000 times.



The Anti-D vaccine effectively prevents women with RhD negative blood from developing RhD antibodies during pregnancy.



In Australia, where 17 percent of women are at risk of Rhesus disease, Harrison has been the sole donor of these antibodies, saving millions of babies' lives in the country, but also around the world. His own daughter ended up needing Anti-D, which resulted in his second grandson being born healthy.

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[cc]

Wow. A medical marvel like this situation and a  hero like this and no one says boo?



I know it's only 2 million babies, but sheeesh .. I thought this site would grab and run with this one



Even our in house Aussie-by-location, missed it



I think it's a great story, so "bump" anyhow  acc_devil

[RW]

I saw this a couple days ago.  Amazing man.

[Anonymous]

Wow. A medical marvel like this situation and a  hero like this and no one says boo?



I know it's only 2 million babies, but sheeesh .. I thought this site would grab and run with this one



Even our Aussie (by location), missed it



Bump anyhow  acc_devil

A remarkable story cc. Thankfully he shared his gift of life.

[Anonymous]

I saw this a couple days ago.  Amazing man.

Is he ever RW.

[pickles]

It's always good to donate blood. It saves so many people.

[priscilla1961]

It's always good to donate blood. It saves so many people.

I concur pickles.

[Annie]

I wish I could give blood, but I have medical crap going on and on meds so I'm not allowed :(

[Anonymous]

I wish I could give blood, but I have medical crap going on and on meds so I'm not allowed :(

I am sorry about that Annie.

 ac_crying

[Annie]

Ahhh no worries, Fash but thank you.

[Anonymous]

Ahhh no worries, Fash but thank you.

 acc_hugz

[Annie]

acc_hugz  now it's all good  ac_dance