Kicker: The man with the golden arm

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: For more than sixty years, Australian James Harrison showed up every two weeks to donate blood—nearly 1,200 times.

As a teen, Harrison needed transfusions after lung surgery, and he vowed to give back. Then doctors discovered his blood contained a rare antibody that could prevent Rhesus disease, a condition that threatens unborn babies.

His donations helped create a treatment credited with saving over two million lives, including his own grandson’s. Audio from NPR from 2015.

HARRISON: 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, but I've never met them, didn't know them.

His generosity earned him the nickname The Man with the Golden Arm.

HARRISON: Some people say, oh, you're a hero. But I'm in a safe room, donating blood. They give me a cup of coffee and something to nibble on. And then I just go on my way - no problem, no hardship.

Harrison donated until age limits forced him to stop. He died last month at the age of 88, but his life-saving legacy lives on in every life he helped save.

MARY REICHARD,: Wow.

BROWN: It’s The World and Everything in It.

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