The lifesaving blood centers we have today might not exist without the groundbreaking work of one pioneer. Dr. Charles Drew, widely considered the father of blood banking, was an African American surgeon and medical researcher who discovered innovative ways to process and store blood products & organized the first large scale U.S blood bank. Dr. Drew also directed blood plasma programs during World War II but resigned in 1942 after a ruling was imposed that African American blood would be stored

Dr. Charles R. Drew was responsible for the groundbreaking blood plasma research that saved hundreds of thousands of lives during World War II and continues to be used today. Today, we celebrate his birthday and his incredible legacy — read more about his work and the blood donation center in Washington, D.C. named in his honor: https://rdcrss.org/3IRkh72 | American Red Cross