For generations, there have been phenomenal contributions made to society by the hands and minds of African-Americans.
An African American by the name of Charles Richard Drew helped significantly to change the face of World War II.
Drew began researching plasma and blood transfusion while working at Columbia University.
He discovered a way to remove the plasma from red blood cells and effectively store the two separately and freezing for later use.
He revolutionized the medical profession with his discoveries and set up the first blood bank, The American Red Cross Blood Bank.
He used the blood bank to start the first ever blood drive called “Blood for Britain.”
The blood collected was shipped to Britain and given to the wounded soldiers of World War II.
After the war, Charles Drew became the Chair of Surgery at Howard University, Washington, D.C. He received the Spingarn Medal in 1944 for his contributions to medical science.
Drew lost his life at age 47, after suffering from the wounds of a car accident after he and three other physicians decided to drive to the annual free clinic at Tuskegee in 1950.
Though his life was lost, his contribution to history was not. He still lives on.
So the next time you decide to pass by a blood drive, remember this: it’s in our blood to give blood.
