Difference between revisions of "Charles Drew"
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When he graduated with a doctorate, Drew accepted a position as pathology instructor at Howard University. He continued to study the possiblities of storing [[blood]] over a period of time. Because of his curiousity, Drew discovered that [[plasma]], the clear substance in which red and [[white blood cells]] were suspended, could be stored by itself longer than the complete blood. This led to easier transfusions and eventually a [[blood bank]]. | When he graduated with a doctorate, Drew accepted a position as pathology instructor at Howard University. He continued to study the possiblities of storing [[blood]] over a period of time. Because of his curiousity, Drew discovered that [[plasma]], the clear substance in which red and [[white blood cells]] were suspended, could be stored by itself longer than the complete blood. This led to easier transfusions and eventually a [[blood bank]]. | ||
| − | During [[World War II]], blood banks were established all over [[England]] and the [[United States]]. Drew was able devote himself to researching plasma full-time. The [[American Red Cross]] asked Charles Drew to be the director of Red | + | During [[World War II]], blood banks were established all over [[England]] and the [[United States]]. Drew was able devote himself to researching plasma full-time. The [[American Red Cross]] asked Charles Drew to be the director of Red Cross' plasma bank for thousands of serviceman. He soon resigned, however, because the Red Cross had a policy of differentiating the blood drawn from [[Segregation|blacks and whites]]. |
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| + | Drew bitterly objected to this policy. Being African-American himself, he firmly believed that blood should be seperated by [[blood type|type]], not skin color. | ||
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| + | In 1949, Drew bacame a consultant for the [[Surgeon General]]. | ||
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| + | The following year Charles Drew was on his way to give a speech at [[Tuskegee Institute]] in [[Alabama]]. He fell asleep at the wheel and wrecked his car outside [[Burlington]], [[North Carolina]]. | ||
Revision as of 19:29, December 21, 2007
Charles Drew was born 1904 and became an outstanding athlete at Amherst College, but he wasn't interested in his studies much until he enrolled in a biology class. In the mid-20's, he decided to become a doctor because he loved biology. He moved to Montreal, Canada and saved for his medical education at McGill University. Drew was an excellent student and developed an interest in the area of blood transfusions.
When he graduated with a doctorate, Drew accepted a position as pathology instructor at Howard University. He continued to study the possiblities of storing blood over a period of time. Because of his curiousity, Drew discovered that plasma, the clear substance in which red and white blood cells were suspended, could be stored by itself longer than the complete blood. This led to easier transfusions and eventually a blood bank.
During World War II, blood banks were established all over England and the United States. Drew was able devote himself to researching plasma full-time. The American Red Cross asked Charles Drew to be the director of Red Cross' plasma bank for thousands of serviceman. He soon resigned, however, because the Red Cross had a policy of differentiating the blood drawn from blacks and whites.
Drew bitterly objected to this policy. Being African-American himself, he firmly believed that blood should be seperated by type, not skin color.
In 1949, Drew bacame a consultant for the Surgeon General.
The following year Charles Drew was on his way to give a speech at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He fell asleep at the wheel and wrecked his car outside Burlington, North Carolina.
Source: The Fundamentals of Math for Christian Schools, Bob Jones University,
(the bio on p. 401)