Charles Richard Drew

In the spirit of Black History Month...

Charles Richard Drew was the first African American physician to create what is known as the blood bank in 1940 by preserving blood plasma for transfusion. During World War II he headed the program that sent blood to Great Britain and was the director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank. Charles Drew's system for the storing of blood plasma revolutionized the medical profession and he saved many lives especially during the war. He was also a surgeon and professor at Howard University.

(This is my father's profession so it's of particular interest to me...)