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Medical Researcher

On a dark night in 1950, an exhausted driver fell asleep at the wheel of his car and crashed, badly injuring himself. The accident happened in North Carolina, where racial segregation was practiced. Because the local hospital was designated "for whites only," the man could not be admitted. Within a short time, he bled to death. The driver was Dr. Charles Drew, the physician and medical scientist who pioneered the research on the preservation of blood. Ironically, his discoveries saved the lives of hundreds of thousands, both black and white, during World War II.
Drew was born and reared in Washington, DC. As a youth, he excelled in the classroom and on the athletic fields. Later, as a student at Amherst College, he again distinguished himself in both areas. At Amherst, he was captain of the track and field team. He played football, too, and was an outstanding halfback. At his graduation, he was awarded the Mossman Trophy for having brought the most honor to the college during his four years there.

In 1933, Drew received his medical degree from McGill University in Canada. Once more, his mental and physical gifts had propelled him to the top. He had received an academic prize, and had established track records that were not bettered for a number of years.

Drew began his career in medical research at Columbia University. His research led to the discovery of a way to store blood plasma for later use. He established national blood plasma programs for the British and for the United States. As a result of those programs, countless lives were saved, but in the end, not his own.

Leaving his brilliant career in research behind. Dr. Drew became chief surgeon and chief of staff of Freedmen's Hospital in his native Washington, DC. He held both positions at the time of his death.

FLASH-FACTS

Discovered a method for preserving blood plasma
Established blood banks in Great Britain and the United States
Won the Spingarn Medal for his contributions to humanity