Charles Drew (surgeon)

Charles Drew (surgeon)

Charles Drew, pioneering African-American surgeon

Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American surgeon and medical researcher. He is renowned for his groundbreaking work in the field of blood transfusions and the development of large-scale blood banks during World War II. Drew's innovations in blood storage and transfusion significantly improved the efficiency and safety of blood banking, saving countless lives.

Early Life and Education

Charles Drew was born in Washington, D.C., to Richard and Nora Drew. He excelled in academics and athletics during his youth, attending Dunbar High School, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous academic standards.

Drew pursued higher education at Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he was a standout athlete. After graduating in 1926, he attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada, earning his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degrees in 1933. His time at McGill was marked by academic excellence, and he graduated second in his class.

Medical Career and Innovations

After completing his studies, Drew returned to the United States and began his residency at Howard University's Freedmen's Hospital. He later became a faculty member at Howard University, where he taught surgery and conducted research.

Drew's most significant contributions came during his time at Columbia University, where he earned his Doctor of Medical Science degree. His dissertation, "Banked Blood: A Study in Blood Preservation," laid the foundation for modern blood banking. Drew developed innovative techniques for the long-term preservation of blood plasma, which could be stored and transported without refrigeration.

Blood for Britain Project

In 1940, Drew was appointed as the medical director of the "Blood for Britain" project, an initiative to collect and ship blood plasma to aid British soldiers and civilians during World War II. Under his leadership, the project successfully collected thousands of pints of blood, establishing the first large-scale blood bank.

American Red Cross Blood Bank

Following the success of the "Blood for Britain" project, Drew was appointed as the director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank. He implemented standardized procedures for blood collection and processing, which became the model for future blood banks worldwide.

Challenges and Legacy

Despite his achievements, Drew faced racial discrimination throughout his career. He resigned from the American Red Cross in protest of their policy of segregating blood donations by race, a practice he vehemently opposed.

Drew's legacy endures through his contributions to medicine and his role as a mentor to future generations of African-American physicians. His work paved the way for the development of modern blood transfusion services and highlighted the importance of ethical standards in medical practice.

Death

Charles Drew died on April 1, 1950, in a car accident in Burlington, North Carolina. His untimely death at the age of 45 was a significant loss to the medical community.

Related Pages

• Blood transfusion
• Blood bank
• Howard University
• American Red Cross