Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president

James Harrison was called the man with the golden arm.

Harrison, who hailed from Australia, died on February 17, 2025. When he was 14 years of age, he received a lifesaving transfusion when he had a major operation. When his life was saved, he promised at the age of 14 to become a blood donor. When he turned 18, he followed up on that vow and started to donate blood despite his aversion to needles.

Ten years later, medical professionals discovered that his blood had an antibody essential for producing anti-D injections.

That antibody is essential to saving babies’ lives when their mother has blood that would attack their unborn babies. When the antibody is given, it stops the babies from developing hemolytic disease and other blood diseases that can be fatal.

Harrison went on to donate blood and plasma 1,173 times until he retired.

Over 3 million doses of the antibody made with his blood were given to 2 million mothers in Australia since 1967, saving millions of lives. We can be glad he overcame his fear of needles in order to save so many lives.

While we can be thankful for people like James Harrison and others who sacrifice for others, one can only think of Jesus who, instead of the fine precision of a needle piercing His skin, endured the rough Roman nails violently driven into His hands and feet. Jesus gave it all to save all. He didn’t just stop with saving 2 million. His goal was to offer salvation to everyone in every nation. He donated His blood with the intention that everyone would benefit. He spilled His blood so all could be healed of the worst disease of all: sin.

Jesus gave it all. We can be glad He overcame the nails to save our lives. Thank you, Jesus.