Stuff You Should Know — "The Man with the Golden Arm"

Release Date: September 9, 2025
Hosts: Josh Clark & Chuck Bryant
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode profiles James Harrison, the Australian "Man with the Golden Arm," whose unique blood donations over a period of 60 years are credited with saving 2.4 million babies. The hosts, Josh and Chuck, explore Harrison’s life, the science behind his special plasma, and the history of treating Rh disease—a pregnancy complication once responsible for countless infant deaths. The episode not only highlights Harrison’s extraordinary dedication and impact, but also broader issues around blood donation, medical ethics, and the ongoing need for plasma donors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter and Segue (01:51–04:19)

• Josh and Chuck begin with an extended exchange about recent and past cockroach encounters—setting a conversational, humorous tone for the episode.

  • Notable moment: “You want me to get up in the middle of a recording and save a cockroach?” (Josh, 03:27)

• They pivot from lighthearted bug stories to the episode’s main topic: heroism in everyday life, introducing James Harrison as an example.

The Science of Rh Disease (04:45–12:36)

What is Rh Disease/Factor?

• Rh factor is a protein on red blood cells, inherited and either present (+) or absent (–).
  • “That negative or positive is your Rh factor. So named after the Rh, Rhesus monkey, inadvertently not correctly named.” (Josh, 05:13)
• 85% of people are Rh positive. Problems arise during pregnancy if the mother is Rh negative and the child is Rh positive, leading the mother’s immune system to attack the fetus’s blood cells.

Why is it Dangerous?

• Usually not an issue in a first pregnancy, but subsequent pregnancies are at risk.
• Can result in stillbirths or infant deaths if untreated.
  • “If it wasn’t bad enough, just add dying babies to it and it suddenly becomes much more urgent.” (Chuck, 07:23)

The Discovery of a Cure

• John Gorman (Australian doctor) theorized that giving Rh-negative mothers “passive antibodies” (anti-D) during/after pregnancy could prevent the fatal immune response.
• The first human test was difficult (ethical concerns, international coordination), but was successfully administered in London to Gorman’s sister-in-law during labor.
  • “They had to go to Heathrow to pick it up. That’s how time urgent this was. And...Kath went into labor when they were picking up this injection.” (Chuck, 10:16)
• As a result, she had two healthy sons—proving the treatment worked.
• To this day, pregnant people at risk are given these anti-D injections.

Wider Impact

• “In 50 years there have been no fatalities from this treatment. And he said it saves about a billion dollars every year by preventing high risk Rh pregnancies.” (Josh, 12:22)

Enter James Harrison, The Man with the Golden Arm (16:07–24:32)

Harrison’s Origins

• At 14, Harrison underwent emergency surgery requiring the removal of a lung and received 13 units of blood. He vowed to become a donor once old enough.
  • “He required almost 2 gallons of blood. 13 units of donor blood. A human adult has about 10 units of blood...That saved his life, and...he’s like, I know my calling.” (Josh, 16:32)

His Special Plasma

• Doctors discovered his blood developed strong anti-D antibodies. Likely, transfusions as a teen (Rh positive blood into an Rh negative system) had “sensitized” him, making his plasma uniquely suitable for anti-D production.

Prolific Donations and Impact

• Harrison donated plasma 1,173 times over 60 years, credited with saving approximately 2.4 million babies.

  • “There was a doctor that said in the Sydney Morning Herald in 2018 that every ampoule of anti D ever made in Australia has James in it.” (Josh, 18:23)

• His plasma became foundational to Australia’s anti-D supply. When on vacation, he’d locate local clinics to keep up his schedule.

  • “When they went on vacation...he would find the closest blood donation clinic and go donate blood.” (Chuck, 19:29)

• The process of donating plasma is more time-consuming than donating whole blood (“about an hour rather than a quarter of an hour”) and plasma donations can be made more frequently.

• Harrison’s family became blood donors; his own daughter and granddaughter-in-law benefitted directly from anti-D, making it a personal legacy.

  • “He has left a family behind that may not have existed without his precious donations.” (Chuck quoting Harrison’s daughter, 22:24)

• Despite a lifelong fear of needles and low pain tolerance, Harrison remained steadfast.

  • “The man who gave blood 1,173 times to save 2.4 million babies was afraid of needles.” (Chuck, 24:22)

• He preferred his right arm for donations, claiming his left was more sensitive—only about 10 of his hundreds of donations were via his left arm.

Later Life and Unsung Heroes (27:18–34:38)

Mandatory Retirement

• Harrison donated until age 81 (2018), at which point he was required to stop for health reasons, much to his disappointment.
  • “He was really broken up. He said, it's a sad day for me, the end of a long run. I'd keep going on if they let me.” (Josh, 28:17)
• His final donation was attended by mothers and babies he’d helped to save—a poignant, emotional moment.

Humility and Character

• “It becomes quite humbling when they say, oh, you’ve done this or you’ve done that, or you’re a hero. It’s something I can do. It’s one of my talents. Probably my only talent is that I can be a blood donor, and...if they claim that’s what it is, I’m glad to have done it.” (James Harrison, quoted by Josh, 29:22)

Other Anti-D Donors

• Harrison wasn’t alone, though his case was exceptional. Women in Canada (the “RH Ladies of Winnipeg”) also became plasma donors for anti-D production, some motivated by tragedy.
• In Australia, there are fewer than 200 anti-D donors. One, Kieran Froess, became a donor by being intentionally sensitized and had to provide proof she could no longer have children (hysterectomy).
  • “She advocated to be allowed to do so and apparently had to, like, kind of lobby to be able to do it.” (Josh, 33:14)
• Many essential donors remain anonymous, going above and beyond for a tiny, special donor-recipient match.

Worldwide Disparities

• Many parts of the world lack adequate access; an estimated 50,000 fetuses and 114,000 newborns die each year due to untreated Rh incompatibility, mainly in developing nations.
  • “Half the women in the world who need treatment, don’t get it...50,000 fetuses and 114,000 newborns die every year as a result of this Rh incompatibility." (Josh, 34:14)
• Only 3% of Americans donate blood (62% eligible); compares poorly to Australia (14% of eligible population donates).

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On heroism:
  “This is a profile in courage and heroism of a everyday guy who found out he was a little more special than the rest of us. And he put it to good use.”

• On scientific mystery:
  “It’s really worth saying it’s weird because they don’t know still to this day exactly how it happens or how it protects developing fetuses, infants. They think...these antibodies...attach to [red blood cells] and act as a protective layer, essentially like Obi Wan saying to the mom’s immune system: these are not the red blood cells that you seek.” (Chuck, 08:49)

• On humility:
  “He never walked in wearing sunglasses and a scarf—‘the man with the golden arm is here.’ Instead, he just kind of chit chat other people who were giving donations...He didn’t say, and I should know because I’ve saved 2.4 million babies.” (Chuck, 28:46)

• On motivation:
  “I’m gonna get a shirt that says, what would James Harrison do?” (Josh, 29:49)

• On inspiring action:
  “This has spurred me to get out there and do this on the reg, too. So I’m gonna donate some blood next week.” (Josh, 36:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• What’s Rh Disease?
  05:13–07:23

• Discovery & Early Treatments
  08:04–11:41

• James Harrison’s Introduction & Backstory
  16:07–17:19

• How Harrison’s Donations Worked & Plasma Details
  17:19–21:54

• Direct Family Impact; Dedication & Fear of Needles
  22:24–24:22

• Harrison’s Final Donations & Retirement
  27:18–28:51

• Recognition & Broader Blood Donation Discussion
  31:17–36:22

Episode Conclusion

Josh and Chuck close reflecting on Harrison’s humility, his far-reaching impact, the ongoing need for donors, and their own intentions to donate blood again—encouraging listeners to consider doing the same. They also highlight ongoing issues of global inequity in healthcare access, and remind listeners that while the science is remarkable, it’s the everyday generosity of people like Harrison that truly saves lives.

Additional Noteworthy Quotes

• “Every ampoule of anti D ever made in Australia has James in it.” (Josh, quoting a doctor, 18:23)
• “Should we take a break?” — (Josh, 24:54, used often to shift segments with humor.)

Summary Tone

Conversational, warm, and full of admiration for unsung heroes. The hosts blend humor, straightforward explanation, and genuine emotion, making both the science and the story accessible and compelling.

Listener Utility

This episode offers both a fascinating medical history and an inspiring human profile, providing listeners with accessible explanations of complex science, real-world impacts, and motivation to consider their own potential to help others—just like James Harrison did.