Charles Richard Drew – The Pioneer of the Modern Blood Bank

From a Humble Childhood to an Outstanding Physician

Born into an African American family in Washington, D.C., Drew overcame racial barriers to pursue his education. He graduated from Amherst College in 1926 and earned his medical degree from McGill University in Canada in 1933. From his early years as a resident, he had already begun researching blood and methods for its effective preservation.

Creating the Concept of the “Blood Bank”

In 1939, Drew discovered how to separate plasma from red blood cells and extend the shelf life of plasma to as long as two months. He was the first to use the term “blood bank” and to develop a modern system for blood storage and distribution.

Contributions During World War II

In 1940, when World War II broke out, Drew was appointed medical director of the “Blood for Britain” project, overseeing the collection and shipment of tens of thousands of plasma units to the war front, saving countless soldiers’ lives. He later became a leader of the American Red Cross Blood Bank and was responsible for supplying blood to the United States military.

Opposing Racial Segregation in Medicine

Drew strongly spoke out against the U.S. military’s policy of segregating blood by race, arguing that there was no biological difference between the blood of White and Black people. In protest, he resigned from the Red Cross in 1942 and continued teaching, inspiring younger generations of physicians at Howard University College of Medicine.

An Enduring Legacy

Charles R. Drew died in a traffic accident in 1950 at the age of only 46. He left behind a profound legacy in world medicine and was honored with many prestigious awards. In 1981, the United States issued a postage stamp bearing his image as a tribute to the man who pioneered the blood bank and helped save millions of lives around the world.