Charles R. Drew

Charles Richard Drew - Dunbar HS Yearbook Entry (1922)

Freedman Hospital LCCN2016824750

(Plasma transfer pack and extractor apparatus) (4645104328)

Minnie-Lenore-Robbins

Dr Charles Richard Drew by Charles Alston

Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American surgeon, physician, and medical researcher who is best known for his research in the field of blood transfusion, the development of large-scale blood banks during World War II, and for inventing the blood plasma preservation technique. His pioneering work in blood storage and transfusion technology has saved countless lives and laid the foundation for modern blood donation and blood banking practices. Drew's contributions to medical science and the African American community have made him an iconic figure in the annals of American history.

Early Life and Education

Charles Richard Drew was born in Washington, D.C., on June 3, 1904, into an African-American middle-class family. He excelled academically and athletically during his high school years. Drew went on to attend Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he majored in chemistry and was a star athlete. After graduating from Amherst, Drew attended McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada, where he received his M.D. and Master of Surgery degree in 1933. During his time at McGill, Drew's interest in blood transfusion medicine began to take shape.

Career and Contributions

After completing his education, Drew returned to the United States and began a career that would revolutionize the field of blood transfusion. In 1940, he was appointed as the medical director of the Blood for Britain project, where he organized the collection and processing of blood plasma from several New York hospitals and its shipment to Britain. His work with the project demonstrated that blood could be safely stored and transported for transfusions, which was a groundbreaking discovery at the time.

Drew's success with the Blood for Britain project led to his appointment as the director of the first American Red Cross blood bank, in charge of blood for U.S. armed forces. It was during this time that he developed a system for the mass collection, processing, and storage of blood plasma. Drew's system included rigorous standards for blood collection and processing, which ensured the safety and effectiveness of blood transfusions for thousands of soldiers during the war.

Despite his monumental contributions to the medical field, Drew faced racial discrimination throughout his career. In 1942, he resigned from his position with the American Red Cross when they decided to segregate the blood donated by African Americans. Drew argued that blood should not be segregated by race since there was no scientific basis for such a practice.

Legacy

Charles R. Drew's work laid the foundation for modern blood banks and the efficient, life-saving distribution of blood and blood products. His insistence on the scientific principles of blood transfusion, regardless of the donor's race, has made him a symbol of equality and humanitarianism in medicine.

Drew received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime and posthumously, including the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP in 1944. Tragically, Drew's life was cut short when he died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1950 at the age of 45.

Today, Charles R. Drew is remembered not only for his scientific achievements but also for his role as a trailblazer for African Americans in the field of medicine. Numerous schools, medical institutions, and scholarships bear his name, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.