Charles Richard Drew 

Father of Blood Transfusion 

According to Red Cross: 

• Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
• Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U. S.
• Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
• Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.

Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) a Black man, was a surgeon, and medical researcher.

His research of blood transfusions, and expert knowledge in this field helped to develop better blood storage techniques as well as helping to develop large scale blood bank units in World War II.

Did you know that there was a time when racial segregation prevented the donation of blood?  Imagine how many lives could have been saved?  Because of this Charles Drew resigned from his position in the American Red Cross. The policy changed in 1950. 

Red Cross is the number one blood supplier in the United States.  They provide 40% of the country’s blood.

Charles began working as a newspaper boy in his neighborhood.  Drew went to Washington’s Dunbar High School. Dunbar High School was well known for its equality and opportunities for all, even though it was a challenging to do so at that time. 

He would later become a chemistry and biology professor.  

While his blood preservation research, he discovered that blood plasma could be stored for two-months longer through a process of separating the liquid blood from the cells. 

His doctoral thesis, "Banked Blood: A Study on Blood Preservation,” earned him his Doctor of Science Medical Degree in 1940.  He was the first African American to do this. 

As he continued his important work in this field, he created “Blood Mobiles”. This allowed stations to collect the blood and refrigerate it.  This created greater mobility in terms of transportation and increased prospective donations.

Because of Charles Drew’s dedication to the field of transfusions, countless lives are still being saved today. 

In honor of Charles Drew’s work in the field of transfusions, perhaps you would consider donating blood to the Red Cross?

Sickle Cell Disease Data:

• More than 100,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease.
• Sickle cell disease affects 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births.
• People with sickle cell disease may need as many as 100 units of blood each year.
• Your blood donations could help alleviate the symptoms of someone living with sickle cell disease, or even help save their life.

www.redcrossblood.org

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