An Australian man whose blood donations are credited with saving the lives of more than 2 million babies has died at the age of 88.

James Harrison, from the town of Junee in the state of New South Wales, passed away in his sleep at a nursing home on 17 February, his family confirmed over the weekend.

Nicknamed the “man with the golden arm”, Harrison saved 2.4 million babies by donating plasma over 1,100 times, according to the Australian Red Cross.

Harrison started donating as an 18-year-old in 1954, four years after receiving a series of blood transfusions following lung surgery.