Australian donor sets bloody amazing world record

An Australian man has set a Guinness World Record for being the world’s most generous blood donor, wringing out enough to fill the petrol tanks of 10 small cars, the Australian Red Cross Society said today.

James Harrison, 66, began donating blood just after his 18th birthday.

“I was inspired to become a donor after I received a life saving blood transfusion at the age of 15,” he said. “I decided then to give back to those unnamed heroes who helped save my life.”

The head of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Dr Robert Hazel, said Harrison was an “Australian hero” who donated 127 gallons in more than 804 visits to the Blood Bank.

That was enough to fill the tanks of 10 small cars or 1,200 soft drinks cans, he said.

Almost half a million Australians, or just under 3% of the population, give blood each year, but more donors are needed, Hazel added.