Category: australia

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Starbucks was a complete…

Starbucks was a complete failure in Australia, mainly because Aussies are used to good quality coffee. They entered Australia in 2000, opened 84 outlets across Australia’s eastern coast. Eight years and $143 million in losses later they closed 60 stores, and sold the rest. 00

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Australia’s ‘Man with the Golden Arm’ Donated Blood Consistenly for 60 Years

Every two weeks for the last 60 years, James Harrison has donated blood in his native Australia. But he recently rolled up his sleeve for the last time, as the country’s Red Cross Blood Service only allows people to donate blood until they turn 81-years-old.

Over the course of his long blood giving career, it’s estimated that Harrison helped save the lives of over 2 million babies born to Australian women.

Harrison needed major chest surgery when he was only 14-years-old and relied on the blood of strangers to help get him through the operation. He vowed he would donate his own blood as long as he was able to, and he’s been true to his word for six decades now.

Harrison’s blood contains an antibody that is used to make Anti-D, a medication given to mothers with a negative blood type. The drug prevents medical afflictions in newborn babies that can sometimes lead to death. Prior to the discovery of Anti-D in the 1960s, thousands of babies died from a disease called haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).

Photo Credit: Facebook,History Nerd

Harrison said, “It’s a sad day for me. The end of a long run. I’d keep on going if they’d let me.” Harrison was widely praised for his selflessness and in 1999 received the Medal of the Order of Australia. Let’s hope many follow this great man’s example.

h/t: Mashable

The post Australia’s ‘Man with the Golden Arm’ Donated Blood Consistenly for 60 Years appeared first on UberFacts.

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Then PM of Australia, Ben Chifley, would…

Then PM of Australia, Ben Chifley, would regularly receive calls on his secret direct line from housewives trying to order meat as the number was similar to the local Butcher’s. Instead of embarrassing the callers, Chifley would take down their orders and pass it onto the Butcher. 00