Giving back

26 Aug 2017

As James Harrison, ‘the man with the golden arm’, comes to the end of six decades on the receiving end of the needle, he reflects on his past and what the future holds.

After undergoing chest surgery at the age of 14, James was told he had needed 13 units of blood to save his life. This news astounded him, and he pledged to become a blood donor as soon as possible. “It was probably a throwaway line because I was sort of half comatose,” James jokes. Nevertheless, a few days after he turned 18 James walked into a blood bank. And the rest is history.

Making history

Over a decade later, in 1966, scientists developed a method to combat what became known as RhD hemolytic disease of the newborn. Rh disease is responsible for the death of newborns of Rh-negative mothers and Rh-positive fathers. To counteract the disease, doctors need blood from Rh-negative donors, who are injected with specific positive blood cells so that they develop antibodies. James was one of the first donors and, thanks to the unusually strong antibodies generated by his body, his life was subsequently insured for a million dollars. “My wife gave her permission because she thought she’d get a good payout,” James laughs.

An incredible honour

In 1999, James was the recipient of an Order of Australia medal for his charity work and regular blood donations. “I was told it was because I was in part responsible for starting two Apex clubs, and for starting two caravan clubs,” he says. “It was quite a surprise because you don’t do these things for any honour or glory.”

The end of an era

It’s now been 60 years since his first blood donation, and James is coming to the end of his time as a donor. “At Christmas I turn 81, and that’s the oldest you can be to be a blood donor,” he explains. But with almost 1200 jabs up his sleeve, James encourages others to donate if they haven’t already. “It doesn’t hurt and you meet some terrific people. I’ve never found one bad nurse yet,” he says. For now, James is content caravanning around the country and attending Umina Peninsula Probus Club events, where he is a proud member.