Charles Drew was a prominent African American physician, surgeon, and medical researcher who made significant contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in the areas of blood transfusion and blood banking. He was born on June 3, 1904, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in a segregated society that limited opportunities for African Americans.

Drew attended Amherst College and later earned his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He completed his residency at Columbia University in New York City and went on to work at the renowned Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

During World War II, Drew played a crucial role in developing techniques for the preservation and storage of blood plasma, which greatly improved the effectiveness of blood transfusions for wounded soldiers. He established the first American Red Cross Blood Bank and organized the collection and processing of thousands of pints of blood for the war effort.

Despite his groundbreaking work in blood banking, Drew faced racial discrimination in the medical field. He became an outspoken advocate for equal treatment and opportunities for African American doctors and medical professionals.

Tragically, Charles Drew's life was cut short at the age of 45 in a car accident in 1950. However, his legacy lives on in the numerous lives he saved through his innovations in blood transfusion and in the strides he made for equality in healthcare. He is remembered as a pioneer in medicine and a trailblazer for African Americans in the field of science.