Charles Richard Drew was born on June 3, 1904, in Washington, D.C. He was the eldest of five children in a middle-class African American family. Drew excelled in both academics and athletics during his youth, earning a scholarship to attend Amherst College in Massachusetts. At Amherst, he was a star athlete but also developed a keen interest in medicine, leading him to pursue a medical career.
After graduating from Amherst in 1926, Drew applied to medical schools, eventually attending McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where he earned both his M.D. and a Master of Surgery degree in 1933. At McGill, Drew became involved in research and was mentored by Dr. Beattie, who introduced him to the field of blood transfusions and blood preservation.
Charles Drew’s most significant contributions came during his time at Columbia University, where he completed a Doctor of Medical Science degree. His doctoral thesis, titled “Banked Blood,” laid the groundwork for modern blood banking. Drew developed innovative methods for separating and storing blood plasma, which could be preserved for longer periods than whole blood. This was a crucial advancement, as plasma could be used in transfusions without the need for blood type matching, making it ideal for emergency situations.
During World War II, Drew’s expertise became invaluable. He was appointed the medical director of the Blood for Britain project, which aimed to collect and ship plasma to British soldiers and civilians during the war. His work saved countless lives and led to the establishment of large-scale blood banks.
Drew was also instrumental in organizing the first large-scale blood bank in the United States, which would later become the American Red Cross Blood Bank. Despite his monumental contributions, Drew faced significant racial discrimination. In one notable instance, the Red Cross followed a policy that segregated blood donations by race, a practice Drew publicly opposed.
In 1941, Drew became the first African American to earn a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia University. He went on to become the Chief Surgeon at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., and a professor of surgery at Howard University. Drew continued to fight for racial equality in medicine throughout his career, advocating for the fair treatment of African American doctors and patients.
Tragically, Charles Drew’s life was cut short when he died in a car accident on April 1, 1950, at the age of 45. His legacy, however, lives on. Drew is remembered as a pioneer in the field of blood transfusion and as a tireless advocate for racial equality in medicine. His work laid the foundation for the modern blood bank system, and his contributions have saved millions of lives worldwide.
Charles Drew’s achievements have been recognized posthumously in many ways. Schools, medical institutions, and scholarships have been named in his honor. His life and work continue to inspire generations of medical professionals and advocates for social justice.
