'Man With The Golden Arm' Has Saved Over Two Million Babies By Donating His Rare Type Of Blood Thousands Of Times (But He Never Watches The Needle Go In)

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James Harrison, 78, has been donating his rare type of blood for 60 years and has saved more than two million babies' lives

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Mr Harrison's blood plasma contains an antibody that stops babies dying from Rhesus disease, a form of severe anaemia

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Mr Harrison has been dubbed the 'man with the golden arm' as he helped develop a vaccine for Rhesus disease known as Anti-D. While he has donated blood more than a thousand times, he says he has never once looked at the needle

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It is estimated he has helped save more than two million babies so far.

One of the mothers he has helped is Joy Barnes, who works at the Red Cross Blood Bank in Sydney.She has known Mr Harrison for more than 20 years but has only just told him she is one of the countless mothers he has helped.

Ms Barnes, who miscarried at four and five months before having treatment, said: 'Without him I would never have been able to have a healthy baby.'

Speaking to Mr Harrison on an Australian TV show, she said: 'I don't know how to thank you enough.'

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Harrison's mission to be a lifelong blood donor began at age 18, 4 years after his life was saved by donated blood. He had a difficult surgery, but thanks to that blood, he made it through and lived. In 6 decades, he has made well over 1,000 donations.

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Harrison's blood donations even helped in the safe and healthy delivery of one of his grandchildren. Even after his wife passed away, Harrison continued to donate, keeping true to his word spoken all those years ago.

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James Harrison has exemplified the traits of a hero. No, not with super powers. He has put the well-being of others above any other thing, including his personal aversion to the sight of blood and the feeling of pain.