A patient has a blood sample drawn for a test in November of 2008.
James Harrison holds the world record for blood donation with 984. Not only is the quantity of his generosity noteworthy, but its quality is almost unique.
When he was a child, Mr. Harrison underwent major surgery. Over the course of three months in hospital, the young Mr. Harrison needed 13 litres blood. Realizing it was the donated blood that made the difference in his survival, he pledged to pay back those donors regularly when he turned 18.
After the first few donations he made, it was discovered that his blood contains a rare antibody that combats Rhesus disease. This is a potentially fatal or brain-damaging anemia found in newborn babies when their mother has a conflicting blood type from them. One has blood that is Rh-positive and the other Rh-negative.
Mr. Harrison agreed to undergo dangerous clinical trials to test a potential new treatment of the disease. After taking out a $1-million life insurance policy to ensure his wife would be cared for if the worst happened, Mr. Harris - who is Rh-negative - was given infusions of Rh-positive blood.
It was found that his plasma would treat the condition, and an anti-D vaccine was developed using his plasma. Mr. Harrison's arm became a cottage industry of Rhesus disease treatment.
Anti-D blood product, made from Mr. Harrison's blood, is given to one in 10 women whose blood type is incompatible with that of their fetus. As a result of Mr. Harrison's "golden arm" it is estimated that between 1.5 and two million children's lives have been saved.
In September of this year, the 74 year old Australian is expected to make his 1,000th contribution. If you want to emulate this amazing man, you can contact Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2DONATE.