Eupraxsophy

Few people outside of Australia know about James Harrison, but he is likely responsible for saving over a million lives. Born in 1936, he underwent major chest surgery at the age of 13 that required a critical blood transfusion. Realizing the importance of blood donations, he made a pledge to donate regularly once he turned 18 (which was the required age at the time).

He started donating in 1954, and after the first few donations, it was discovered that his blood contained a very rare antibody, which prevents infants who receive his blood plasma from dying of Rhesus disease, a form of the hemolytic disease of the newborn. The research based on his donations created a vital vaccine, and his blood plasma has since been given as treatment to 10% of pregnant women whose blood is not compatible with that of their children.

Since blood plasma can be donated as often as every 2-3 days, he was able to reach his 1000th donation in May 2011 — meaning an average of one donation every three weeks during 57 years. His donations have helped to save over 2.4 million babies — including his own daughter Tracey

Few people outside of Australia know about James Harrison, but he is likely responsible for saving over a million lives. Born in 1936, he underwent major chest surgery at the age of 13 that required a critical blood transfusion. Realizing the importance of blood donations, he made a pledge to donate regularly once he turned 18 (the required age at the time. He started donating in 1954, and after the first few donations, it was discovered that his blood contained a very rare antibody, which prevents infants who receive his blood plasma from dying of Rhesus disease, a form of the hemolytic disease of the newborn.

The research based on his donations created a vital vaccine, and his blood plasma has since been given as treatment to 10% of pregnant women whose blood is not compatible with that of their children. Since blood plasma can be donated as often as every 2-3 days, he was able to reach his 1000th donation in May 2011 — meaning an average of one donation every three weeks during 57 years. His donations have helped to save over 2.4 million babies — including his own daughter Tracey.

Felix Sanchez, of the Dominican Republic, with a picture of himself and his grandmother as he reacts to his gold medal win in the men’s 400-meter hurdles final 2012 Olympics. In 2008, he had hoped to make gold before finding out that very day that his beloved abuela, whom he was very close to, had died. Visibly dejected, he understandably did poorly, placing 5th. He promised his grandmother that he’d win her the gold in London - and sure enough he did. 

This is a Dingzihu, which is Chinese for “nail house” - because, as you can see, it sticks out. The term is used for households that refuse to move out during demolition. The Chinese government, especially at the local and provincial level, is obsessed with growth, as lucrative development deals become a main source of revenue. This elderly couple in Wenling, Zhejiang province, are the latest people in China to refuse to allow their home to be demolished…so the authorities just built the road around it.

This is Jay Bradner. In 2010, he made a remarkable discovery: a molecule in mice that turned cancer cells into normal cells. But what was more amazing was what he did with this breakthrough finding: instead of patenting it, which would have limited access to this vital discovery, he freely published the details of his research and sent samples to labs all around the world. He gave up a possible fortune in order to advance scientific research and bring us one step closer to hopefully curing this disease. He felt his decision was “the more efficient way to do science - and maybe the more honorable way,” and hopes that it inspires others to do the same in the name of improving both science and the human condition. 

What would you do if someone fell on the tracks as a train was coming? New Yorker Wesley Autrey was a 50 year-old construction worker and Navy veteran who risked his life in just such a scenario.

A man suffering from a seizure fell just as a train was arriving. With no time to act, the father of two - who had his daughters with him - jumped in, rolled this stranger between the rails, and put his body on top of him to shield. The train passed over them by just an inch, leaving grease on his cap. What’s more amazing is what he said after:

“I don’t feel like I did something spectacular; I just saw someone who needed help…I did what I felt was right.”

thedailywhat:

This Is All Kinds Of Right of the Day: Karen Huff Klein, the bus monitor who was verbally abused by juvenile delinquents in June and received more than $700,000 in sympathetic donations, is paying the kindness forward — the 69-year-old is using $100,000 of her haul to found the Karen Klein Anti-Bullying Foundation:

That experience was one of the worst acts of human behavior that I have ever had to endure. …

You have all inspired me by your acts of love. But now it is time for me to give back and to turn your single act of kindness into my own personal movement to stop bullying in America.

[newser]

I couldn’t have thought of a better way for this to turn out. Talk about making the most of a bad thing. It’s interesting to think that such a good thing would never have happened if this woman hadn’t endured such suffering. 

(via allamacalypse)

Palestinian women and girls from the West Bank at the beach in Tel Aviv, after a group of Israeli women snuck them into the country for a daylong excursion.

Source: New York Times