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Charles R. Drew Facts & Worksheets

Charles R. Drew was an African-American physician, surgeon, and medical researcher regarded as the “Father of the Blood Bank” for pioneering the development of the first large-scale blood bank in the United States.

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Charles R. Drew was an African-American physician, surgeon, and medical researcher regarded as the “Father of the Blood Bank” for pioneering the development of the first large-scale blood bank in the United States. He first worked with the Blood for Britain program from 1940 to 1941, then later with the National Research Council and the American Red Cross. His work on developing methods of storing blood long-term for transfusion helped save thousands of lives during World War II. He is the most prominent African American in the field of preserving blood for transfusion.

See the fact file below for more information on Charles R. Drew, or you can download our 26-page Charles R. Drew worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY

  • Charles Richard Drew was born on June 3, 1904, in Washington, DC.
  • Charles was born the eldest child of Richard, an African-American carpet layer, and Nora Burrell, a homemaker who had a teaching degree.
  • Drew had one brother (Joseph) and three sisters (Elsie, Nora, Eva).
  • Together with Joseph, Elsie, and Nora, he grew up in a middle-class family and an interracial neighborhood.
  • His youngest sister, Eva, was born after the family moved to Arlington, Virginia, in 1920.
  • His family referred to him as “Charlie.”
  • At 12 years old, Drew worked as a newspaper boy who also acted as a supervisor of six newspaper delivery boys. 

EDUCATION

  • He was known as a top athlete who played football and track at Washington’s Dunbar High School.
  • He was granted an athletics scholarship to Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he became an athlete in football and track.
  • After graduating from Amherst College in 1926, he spent two years teaching biology and chemistry and coaching football and track at Morgan College in Baltimore, Maryland, so that he could have enough money to study in medical school.
  • He applied to Howard University, a  historically black institution, but he lacked the prerequisite units in English to qualify for admission.
  • He was also offered a chance to study at Harvard University, but his admission would be deferred to the following year.
  • In the end, Charles chose to study at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, in 1929, where he proved to be an outstanding student.
  • As a top student, he was elected a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society. 
  • Drew earned both Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degrees and graduated second in a class of 137 in 1933.
  • From 1933 to 35, he did his residency in medicine at Montreal General Hospital, where he worked closely with bacteriology professor John Beattie, who was studying shock treatment through blood transfusion and other fluid replacement.
  • Upon his return to the United States, he wanted to pursue a surgical residency but rarely did top U.S. medical centers offer such opportunities to African Americans.
  • In 1935, he became an instructor at Howard University’s medical school, then took a surgery residency the following year at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC.
  • He was appointed assistant surgeon at Freedmen’s Hospital in 1937 and 1938.
  • In 1938, he pursued graduate studies at Columbia University.
  • While earning his doctorate degree, he won a two-year Rockefeller fellowship at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital and trained under renowned Allen Whipple.
  • In 1940, he became the first African American to earn a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia University.

BLOOD BANKS

  • While at Presbyterian, he worked with John Scudder in pursuing research related to blood preservation and transfusion therapy and setting up an experimental blood bank in 1939.
  • For his doctoral thesis, Drew came up with a way to preserve blood without cells, which is called blood plasma.
  • His research led him to conclude that plasma could be stored without refrigeration and lasts longer than whole blood.

BLOOD FOR BRITAIN

  • The real-life application of Drew’s doctoral thesis was for the “Blood for Britain” relief program that began in September 1940.
  • In July 1940, during World War II, Britain, under attack by Germany, was desperate for medical supplies, including blood and plasma for transfusion to treat British soldiers and civilian casualties.
  • Drew’s research became more relevant than ever, and he was called upon to direct this medical effort.
  • He set the standard of ensuring the safe and smooth collection and processing of blood plasma from several New York hospitals.
  • He organized a large-scale effort to ship these plasma dispersals to Britain.
  • According to the American Chemical Society, Drew helped collect 14,556 blood donations by the time the program ended in January 1941.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

  • In February 1941, he led another blood bank effort for the American Red Cross and became the director of its first blood bank.
  • The first American Red Cross Blood Bank was for the U.S. military personnel to benefit from.
  • He innovated with what were known as “bloodmobiles,” mobile blood donation stations where blood is collected and refrigerated.
  • Soon after he started working for the American Red Cross, he grew frustrated and resistant to the military order that the blood of  White Americans be stored separately from the blood of African Americans.
  • In fact, the U.S. military did not want to be supplied with the blood of African Americans at first but later agreed on the condition that they were segregated.
  • Drew was outraged by this racist policy, but the government refused to change it.
  • In 1942, he resigned in protest only a few months into his tenure.
  • In 1944, he wrote a letter addressed to the director of the Federal Labor Standards Association, stating, “I think the Army made a grievous mistake, a stupid error in first issuing an order to the effect that blood for the Army should not be received from Negroes. It was a bad mistake for 3 reasons: (1) No official department of the Federal Government should willfully humiliate its citizens; (2) There is no scientific basis for the order; and (3) They need the blood.”

LATER YEARS AND PERSONAL LIFE

  • After setting up his pioneering work in blood banks, he returned to Howard University, where he worked as a professor and head of the department of surgery.
  • He also served as the chief surgeon at Freedmen’s Hospital. 
  • In the latter part of 1941, he became the first African-American examiner for the American Board of Surgery.
  • For his work on blood banks, he was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP in 1944.
  • He was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree by Virginia State College in 1945, then another by Amherst College in 1947.
  • Charles Drew married Minnie Lenore Robbins, a home economics professor at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1939.
  • They had four children together: three daughters and one son.

DEATH

  • On April 1, 1950, Drew died at age 45 after sustaining injuries from a car accident in North Carolina on his way to Tuskegee, Alabama, to attend an annual free clinic.

Charles R. Drew Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Charles R. Drew across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Charles R. Drew. Charles R. Drew was an African-American physician, surgeon, and medical researcher regarded as the “Father of the Blood Bank” for pioneering the development of the first large-scale blood bank in the United States.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Charles R. Drew Facts
  2. From the Past
  3. Voca-blood-lary
  4. Words of a Scientist
  5. Life Work and Legacy
  6. Complete Process
  7. Risks and Requirements
  8. African-American Pioneers
  9. Current Efforts
  10. Donation Reflection
  11. Inspired Infographic

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Charles R. Drew?

Charles Richard Drew (1904–1950) was an African-American physician, surgeon, and medical researcher known for his pioneering work in the field of blood transfusion and blood banking during the mid-20th century. He made significant contributions to medicine and is considered a prominent figure in the history of healthcare.

What were Charles R. Drew’s major contributions to medicine?

Charles Drew’s most significant contributions were in the development of blood banking and blood plasma preservation. He established techniques for collecting, processing, and storing blood and plasma, making it possible to store and transport these vital medical resources for use in transfusions. His work greatly improved the availability and safety of blood transfusions, particularly during World War II.

How did Charles R. Drew’s work impact medicine during World War II?

During World War II, Drew played a critical role in establishing and leading the “Blood for Britain” project, which aimed to collect and ship much-needed blood and plasma to support British troops. His work helped save countless lives on the battlefield and laid the foundation for modern blood banking and transfusion practices.

What challenges did Charles R. Drew face in his career?

Despite his significant contributions to medicine, Drew faced racial discrimination and segregation in the medical field. He was often limited in his opportunities for advancement and denied leadership roles in his profession due to his race. His experiences and advocacy for equal treatment helped pave the way for greater racial equality in healthcare.

What is Charles R. Drew’s legacy?

Charles R. Drew’s legacy is multifaceted. He is remembered as a trailblazer in medical research and blood banking, but he is also celebrated for his commitment to racial equality and his advocacy against racial segregation in medicine. His work laid the groundwork for the development of blood banks and transfusion medicine, which have saved countless lives. Additionally, he serves as an inspiration for African-American healthcare professionals and continues to be a symbol of perseverance and excellence in the face of adversity.

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