Charles Drew
Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was a 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 the lives of thousands of members of the Allied forces. The research and development aspect of Drew's blood storage work is disputed, but as the most prominent African-American in the field he protested against the practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood, saying it lacked scientific foundation. In 1943, Drew's distinction within his profession was recognized when he became the first black surgeon selected to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery.
