"The same blood runs in your veins" - DailyWearForMedicine.com
By Ramana Annamraju
Charles Drew was allowed to apply for only two U.S. medical schools at the height of segregation. One was Howard University with its associated Freedom Hospital, and the other was Harvard Medical school. But he chose Harvard of Canada, McGill University at Montreal, without all the hassles of U.S. conditional requirements. That turned out to be best for him; first time living in a society where the color lines were not as strictly drawn as they were in the United States. Charles excelled both in academics and athletics at McGill. That is where young Charles started working with British visiting Professor Dr. John Beattie, working on blood transfusion. Later in his career, this relationship played a crucial role. Charles Drew graduated in 1933 with a Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Surgery with distinction from McGill University Medical School. He then completed a one-year Residency requirement at Montreal General Hospital. 
In 1939, Dr. Charles Drew developed novel methods of separating plasma from Red Blood cells and dramatically increased the shelf life of plasma for two months. The shelf life of whole blood is very short, can be counted in hours, and is prone to deterioration during transport. The blood plasma is an extract from the whole blood that retains only the essential parts of blood, the nutrients, and enzymes. The blood plasma can then be packaged and transported without the constraints of the whole blood. It is a remarkable achievement in the history of blood chemistry and worthy of the Nobel Prize. During Covid-19, Convalescent plasma became a popular reference. Convalescent plasma with antibodies is an authorized treatment for Covid-19. This work is drawn from the initial work of Dr. Charles Drew.
United States Army and Navy tapped him for the "Blood for Britain's project. " At the height of World War II, Germany's mighty air force dropping bombs on England indiscriminately and creating mass causalities. Britain requested American Government for blood supply. Dr. Charles Drew's old mentor from McGill University, Dr. John Beattie, was head of the Royal Society of Surgeons in England. The U.S. army tapped Dr. Charles Drew to spearhead the Blood for Britain Project. Dr. Charles Drew was a prolific researcher in medicine and exhibited outstanding leadership qualities worth noting. In a letter to his old nemesis, Dr. John Battie, Dr. Drew described his detailed plan of action and gave complete confidence that the American government could meet all the requirements for Britain's blood supply needs. With his astute leadership and a strong background in blood chemistry, he saved thousands of British and American soldiers during World War II.
American Red Cross selected Dr. Charles Drew to set up the first blood bank in America. However, only whites were allowed to donate blood. Ironically, the person who started the blood bank cannot donate his own blood. Dr. Charles Drew complained that it is insulting to African Americans and there is no scientific basis to do so... He quit his job in protest took a teaching job at Howard medical school. He inspired many young African Americans to pursue medicine during his life at Howard University Washington D.C.Dr. Charles Drew life came to a sudden halt at the prime age of 45 of that of a physician. He met an accident while driving to attend Black Doctors conference in Tuskegee, Alabama.
Dr. Charles's Drew became a symbol of intellect, determination, and courage for humanity's struggle against racism. Dr. Charles Drew was honored by U.S. Navy by naming a cargo ship in his honor. In June 2021, McGill University launched a new fellowship for Black graduate students in honor of one of its famous alumni. African American Community celebrated it's legacy by naming several schools and universities in his honor.
I am fortunate enough to visit Charles Dru Medical School in Los Angeles. Thanks to another living legend Dr. Richard Allen Williams, founder of ASSOCIATION OF BLACK CARDIOLOGISTS.
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