"Charles Richard Drew." (June 3 1904- April 1 1950)

Was an African -American physician,surgeon and medical researcher.He Researched in the field of blood transfusions,developing improved techniques for blood storage,and applied his

expert Knowledge to developing large-scale blood banks early in World War II.This allowed medics to save thousands of lives of the Allied forces.The research and development aspect of his blood storage work is disputed.Charles protested against the practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood,as it lacked scientific foundation,an action which cost him his job. In 1943,Charles distinction his profession was recognized when he became the first black surgeon selected to serve as an examner on the American Board of Surgery.Charles was was born to Richard Y. Drew and Nora Burrell in Washington DC he attended Mead's Mill Elementary School, and began working as a paperboy selling copies of the Washington Times-Herald while attending school.In 1918,he enrolled at Dunbar High School,a racially segregated  high school with a reputation for being one of the strongest academic Black public schools in the country.Charles sister Elsie,who ailing with tuberculosis,died of pandemic influenza in 1920.Her death was said to influence his decision to study medicine.His athletic achievements helped win him a partial scholarship to Amherst college in Massachusetts.Charles became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,inc.He did graduate work at Mcgill University,Montreal, and Columbia University,where he earned his PhD.Charles became a researcher and general surgeon,teaching and practicing within medical schools and teaching hospitals.He worked and taught at Freedman's Hospital,Morgan State University,Montreal General Hospital and Howard University.Soon after he began his career,he was selected in 1943 as the first black surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery.Charles had a lengthy research and teaching career,and became a chief surgeon.In late 1940,during World War II before the US entered the war,and just after earning his doctorate,Charles was recruited by John Scudder to help set up and administer an early prototype program for blood storage and preservation.He was to collect,test,and transport large quantities of blood plasma for distribution in Great Britain.Charles went to New York to direct the United State's Blood for Britain project.The blood for Britain project was a project to aid British soldiers and civilians by giving US blood to Great Britain.From 1939,Charles attended the annual free clinic at the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital in Tuskegee,Alabama.For the 1950 Tuskegee clinic,Charles and three other black physicians decided to drive rather than fly.Charles was driving around 8 a.m. on April 1.Still fatigued from spending the night before in the operating theater,Charles lost control of the vehicle.After careening into a field,the car somersaulted three times.The three other physicians suffered minor injuries.Charles was trapped with serious wounds;his foot had become wedged beneath the break pedal.When reached by emergency technicians,Charles was in shock and barley alive due to severe injuries.Charles was taken to Alamance General Hospital in Burlington,North Carolina.He was pronounced dead a half hour after he first received medical attention.Contrary to urban legend,Charles was well treated by the hospital.Claims that he was treated because of his skin color are unfounded.Charles funeral was held on April 5,1950,at the Nineteeth Street Baptist Church in Washington DC.