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CHARLES DREW, M.D.
Dr.
Drew is known for his research on blood plasma and for setting up blood
banks. Plasma research was important because, at the time, plasma
could be kept for longer periods of time than whole blood and was less
likely to become contaminated. It could also be given to a person
without waiting for blood-type studies. During the early part of
World War II, Drew organized many blood bank programs. He and his
associates developed standardized methods for banking blood and shipping
plasma overseas. This saved millions of lives. The NAACP
awarded Drew the Springarn Medal in 1944.
A U.S. postage stamp was issued in his honor in 1981.
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