Dr. Charles Drew

Dr. Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 - April 1, 1950) was a pioneering African American surgeon and medical researcher who made significant contributions to the field of blood transfusions and storage.

Early Life and Education
Drew excelled as an athlete, earning a scholarship to Amherst College where he faced racial hostility. He later attended McGill University's medical school in Montreal, Canada, where he ranked second in his graduating class and received his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree in 1933.

Career and Achievements
Drew's most notable accomplishments include:

Pioneering blood plasma preservation techniques, allowing for longer storage periods.

Creating standardized processes for donor screening, blood testing, and collection.

Establishing the first American Red Cross Blood Bank in 1941.

Inventing "bloodmobiles," mobile blood donation stations.

Becoming the first African American surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery in 1941.

Blood for Britain Program
During World War II, Drew led the "Blood for Britain" project, which collected and shipped blood plasma to treat injured British soldiers and civilians. He implemented strict quality control measures and established a central location for blood collection.

Legacy and Impact
Drew's work revolutionized blood banking practices worldwide and saved countless lives during World War II. He also fought against racial segregation in blood donation, resigning from the American Red Cross in protest of their discriminatory policies.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/black-history-month-honoring-dr-charles-richard-drew/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Richard-Drew

https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/scientific-biographies/charles-richard-drew/

https://www.envisionexperience.com/blog/six-facts-about-dr-charles-drew

DMU Timestamp: March 13, 2025 19:03

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