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Blood Plasma Preservation
Charles Richard Drew

Inventor
Charles Richard Drew
Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American surgeon and medical researcher. He researched in the field of blood transfusions, developing improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge to developing large-scale blood banks early in World War II. This allowed medics to save thousands of Allied forces' lives during the war. As the most prominent African American in the field, Drew protested against the practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood, as it lacked scientific foundation, and resigned his position with the American Red Cross, which maintained the policy until 1950.
Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma which all create “whole blood”. Drew discovered that plasma (the liquid) lasts longer than the whole blood. This meant that plasma could be separated and refrigerated and then reconnected with the other parts a week later in a transfusion. Plasma could also be donated to any blood type and this discovery created the first blood bank; where blood from donors could now be stored for when it was needed.
In late 1940, before the U.S. entered World War II and just after earning his doctorate, Drew was recruited by John Scudder to help set up and administer an early prototype program for blood storage and preservation. Here Drew was able to apply his thesis to aid in the blood preservation and transportation. He was to collect, test, and transport large quantities of blood plasma for distribution in the United Kingdom. Drew understood that plasma extraction from blood required both centrifugation and liquid extraction.
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Blood Plasma Preservation
Charles Richard Drew

Biography
Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American surgeon and medical researcher. He researched in the field of blood transfusions, developing improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge to developing large-scale blood banks early in World War II. This allowed medics to save thousands of Allied forces' lives during the war. As the most prominent African American in the field, Drew protested against the practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood, as it lacked scientific foundation, and resigned his position with the American Red Cross, which maintained the policy until 1950.
Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma which all create “whole blood”. Drew discovered that plasma (the liquid) lasts longer than the whole blood. This meant that plasma could be separated and refrigerated and then reconnected with the other parts a week later in a transfusion. Plasma could also be donated to any blood type and this discovery created the first blood bank; where blood from donors could now be stored for when it was needed. In late 1940, before the U.S. entered World War II and just after earning his doctorate, Drew was recruited by John Scudder to help set up and administer an early prototype program for blood storage and preservation. Here Drew was able to apply his thesis to aid in the blood preservation and transportation. He was to collect, test, and transport large quantities of blood plasma for distribution in the United Kingdom. Drew understood that plasma extraction from blood required both centrifugation and liquid extraction.
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