Life-Saving Blood

The National Public Radio website posted an interesting piece recently (3-3-25) on the death of someone who was devoted to saving lives. “Australia's most prolific blood and plasma donor, James Harrison, has died at age 88. Known as the "Man with the Golden Arm," Harrison is credited with saving the lives of 2.4 million babies over the course of more than half a century…Harrison donated blood and plasma a whopping 1,173 times, according to Lifeblood, every two weeks between 1954 and 2018…Harrison's plasma contained a rare and precious antibody called anti-D, which was discovered in the mid-1960s. It is used in medications to prevent haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) — also known as rhesus disease — a potentially fatal disease that occurs when a pregnant person's blood is incompatible with that of their unborn baby, prompting their immune system to attack it…Once Harrison learned he possessed anti-D, Lifeblood says he was "happy to continue to donate and switch over to plasma donation in order to help as many people as possible."*

What an amazing story of an impressive giver!  Of course the greatest blood donor of all time was Jesus Christ. His precious blood (1 Peter 1:19) was drained from His body in a much less hygienic and much more painful way -- as He hung on a Roman cross for sins He didn’t commit. But the blood of Christ is so powerful that it only had to be donated one time to secure eternal redemption for those who accept the gift (Hebrews 9:12). By Christ’s blood donation, recipients are not only initially cleansed from spiritual disease but also have ongoing protection (1 John 1:7). By Christ’s blood donation, fellowship with God can be restored (Hebrews 10:19).

Thanks to James Harrison for donating blood that saved so many babies. Thanks to Jesus Christ for donating blood that potentially can save the whole world (1 John 2:2).

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.npr.org/2025/03/03/nx-s1-5316163/james-harrison-blood-donor?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=6705360be2fc7ec1680f85f6