Teacher Resources - Musicians
Charles Drew (1904-1950) Pioneer in Blood Plasma Preservation |
A native of Washington, D.C., Charles Drew attended Amherst College. There he
was a letterman in track and a star halfback on the football team. He
also earned the Mossman trophy for outstanding scholarship. He won first prize
in anatomy at McGill University in Canada. He began his study of the properties of blood plasma at Columbia
University and discovered methods for preserving blood plasma in blood banks.
An authority on the subject, he set up a plasma program in Britain and later
did the same for the United States in 1942. During World War II, his
contribution to medicine saved the lives of thousands of soldiers. In
recognition of his contributions to black progress, Drew received the Spingarn
Medal.
Dr. Drew became chief surgeon and chief of staff at Freedmen’s Hospital.
He died in a car accident in 1950.
Adams, 73.
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