SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — National Blood Donor Week—World Blood Donor Day
June 12, 2025
Honourable senators, this is National Blood Donor Week, and June 14 is World Blood Donor Day.
I rise today to pay tribute to James Harrison, who passed away earlier this year on February 17. James was a prolific blood donor who hailed from Australia and donated blood for over 60 years of his life. His blood donation journey began when he was just 14 years old, having to undergo a major surgery, and he depended on the blood of strangers to save his life. After the procedure, he vowed to give back, and when he turned 18, he began donating blood despite having an aversion to needles.
Years later, it was discovered that his plasma contained an important antibody known as anti-D, which was needed to make a medication for mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies.
Known as Rhesus disease, the condition develops when a pregnant woman has Rh-negative blood and the baby in her womb has Rh-positive blood. If the mother has been sensitized to Rh-positive blood, usually during a previous pregnancy with a Rh-positive baby, she may produce RhD antibodies that destroy the baby’s foreign blood cells.
In the worst cases, babies die or suffer brain damage. Anti-D prevents women with Rh-negative blood from developing RhD antibodies during pregnancy.
James Harrison was a pioneer of Australia’s anti-D program. It is estimated that he helped save the babies of more than 2 million Australian women. He donated blood 1,173 times between the ages of 18 and 81. Because of this, became affectionately known as “the Man With the Golden Arm.”
His kindness leaves a remarkable legacy, and he challenged his fellow Australians to beat it. At his last donation, James said, “I hope it’s a record that somebody breaks, because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause.”
Colleagues, we can all be inspired by James’s selfless example of truly paying it forward. As this is National Blood Donor Week, I encourage each of you to consider donating if you can.
When we give blood, we give hope, and together we save lives. Remember that every donation is a lifeline.
Meegwetch, thank you.
