Blood Banks Created by Charles Drew

Dr. Charles Drew, an African American surgeon, developed the techniques for storing and processing blood plasma that led to the creation of blood banks. His work saved countless lives during World War II through the 'Blood for Britain' project and later the American Red Cross Blood Bank. Tragically, the very blood banks he created enforced segregation policies, separating blood by race - a practice that had no scientific basis. Drew resigned in protest. He died in 1950 from injuries sustained in a car accident.