Dr. Charles Richard Drew was an African-American physician, surgeon and medical researcher who revolutionized the understanding and ability to store blood plasma for transfusion. He found a practical application for his work in the concept of the blood bank. He developed a modern day method for processing and storing blood plasma that allowed for it to be dehydrated, shipped, and then rejuvenated just before transfusions. His idea revolutionized the medical profession and helped save many lives.
Dr. Drew was born in 1904, In Washington D.C. He was the oldest of five children. Throughout his academic career, he was greatly involved in sports and was a great competitor. He was an avid athlete playing many sports such as track, football, and
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aquatic sports. It wasn’t until his sister Elsie died of tuberculosis that Drew decided to pursue a career in medical sciences. After graduating from college Drew attended medical school at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, receiving his medical degree in 1933 as well as a Master of Surgery degree. He ranked second in his class of 127 students.
A few years later, Drew did graduate work at Columbia University, where he was the first African American to earn his Doctor of Medical Science degree. During his internship at Montreal General Hospital drew became interested in blood research and its many components.
In 1934 Drew became a resident of medicine at Montreal General Hospital, where he researched and studied the chemistry of blood with his former professor from McGill John Bettie. After his medical internships, he went on to teach at Howard University's Medical School. After being a professor at Howard University, Drew went to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York and researched a process for blood preservation. He developed a technique for long term preservation of blood plasma and earned the Doctor of Science in Medicine degree in 1940. That same year Drew received a multitude of awards and honors, and was recognized as one of the leading physicians worldwide. Aside from working on blood plasma Drew also worked on blood transfusions. While at Columbia University Drew wrote a dissertation on “Banked Blood” in which he described a technique he had developed for the long-term preservation of blood plasma. Prior to his discovery, whole blood could only be stored for two days
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before it was no longer utile due to the rapid breakdown of red blood cells. Drew tested and retested blood samples in an effort to determine what causes whole blood to break down under sub-zero temperatures. He then reduced the whole blood to its four elements, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, to study how each component would play a role in prolonging the life of whole blood. He found that more than half of every drop of whole blood is made up of a yellow liquid called plasma, which carries nutrients to the cells of the body. Plasma is only one component of blood makeup and cannot supply all the benefits of whole blood. As a source for transfusions, Drew found that plasma has another advantage that whole blood doesn’t have. Any person, no matter their blood type, can receive plasma from any other person because the substance that determines blood types is found only in red blood cells, not in plasma. Plasma is also not as perishable as whole blood. It can be stored for a much longer time period than whole blood can and it can also be dehydrated. These processes allow plasma to be easily transported and stored for later use. This process, developed by Drew, is very efficient because it can save the life of someone who is severely injured, and it can be administered quickly without knowing a persons’ blood type or medical history. In 1939 World War II broke out in Europe and Drew was asked to help with lifesaving efforts to soldiers. Drew was named the Supervisor of the Blood Transfusion Association for New York City and oversaw its efforts towards providing plasma to the British Blood Bank. “Blood for Britain” was a relief program designed to collect blood donations at area hospitals and ship blood plasma to England. Besides providing vital short-term aid to England, Blood for Britain was intended to gather the research and administrative data and experience needed to launch a nationwide blood banking program if the U.S. entered the war. He was later named a project director for the American Red Cross but soon resigned his post after the United States War Department issued a regulation that blood taken from White donors should be segregated from that of Black donors. Today the Red Cross collects approximately 5.3 million units of blood from roughly 3.1 million donors nationwide, and distributes over 7.7 million blood products for transfusion.
In addition to being the single largest supplier of blood in the U.S., the Red Cross is the leading organization in research and testing to protect the safety of the blood supply. The Red Cross was among the first to develop and implement tests for many infectious diseases including, HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, West Nile virus, and more recently the agent of Chagas disease. The Red Cross also operates the first-of-its-kind nationwide hemovigilance program to examine donor and patient adverse reactions. The Red Cross provides valuable data and expertise that influences the direction of the blood banking industry.
Personally, without Dr. Drew and his breakthrough in medical science it would have been difficult for me to receive a blood transfusion when I had surgery in 2013. Before surgery I had to give pints of blood which was to be stored and used if necessary. Weeks after giving the blood I had surgery, after losing a large amount of blood on the operating table I needed an emergency blood transfusion in order to survive and fully recover. Dr. Drew made it possible for my blood to be readily accessible for
me. Dr. Charles Richard Drew broke barriers in a racially divided America medical society to become one of the most important scientists and doctors of the 20th century. His pioneering and ground breaking research and systematic developments in the use and preservation of blood plasma during World War II not only saved thousands of lives, but innovated the nation’s blood banking process and standardized procedures for long-term blood preservation, and storage techniques implemented by the American Red Cross. His revolutionary idea is still greatly relevant today. The transfusion of blood and blood products today help save millions of lives each year. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses live longer and with a greater quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. It also has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during man-made and natural disasters. Drew is one of the most honored and respected figures in the medical field and his development of the blood plasma bank has given a second chance at life to millions all over the world.
Drew graduated from McGill in 1933. That year he won the annual prize in neuroanatomy, the study of the structure of the nervous system, and the Williams Prize, passing an examination and scoring in the top five in his class. He interned at the Royal Victoria and Montreal General Hospitals. In 1935, he became an instructor in pathology at Howard University Medical School in Washington, DC. In addition to teaching, he was assistant surgeon at Freedmen's Hospital.
Lawrence was a very well educated man, but he did not have the best education until he was in college. He started college at Virginia Union University, an all-black school, where in 1951 he received a degree in chemistry and in science. After graduating he started working as a toxicologist in the medical examiner's office. In 1952, he was drafted into the army and served in the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star for heroism in combat for ...
At 22, after two-thirds of a year at Berea College in West Virginia, he returned to the coalmines and studied Latin and Greek between trips to the mineshafts. He then went on to the University of Chicago, where he received bachelors and master's degrees, and Harvard University, where he became the second black to receive a doctorate in history.
Walter Payton was born in July 25, 1954. Son of Peter and Alyne Payton, Walter Payton was born in Colombia, Missouri. Walter’s father wasn’t really into football as much as people thought, Peter Payton was a semi-pro baseball player. Walter was had one older brother Eddie, who was born 3 years before Walter but in the near future wasn’t the one to be a football star. Eddie learned a lot about football from his dad, but when Walter was born, he knew he would have competition. At a very young age Walter and Eddie would have pickup games in the backyard. When Walter was 5 he started to play in a little league. Coaches were shocked to see Walter play football, almost every time he touched the football, touchdown. Not only his parents, but the players, and the coaches noticed that the harder Walter works he could go far.
Specific Purpose Statement: To persuade my audience to donate blood through the American Red Cross.
My personal reflection about Dr. Daniel Hale Williams is that he opened the doors for so many black doctors and nurses by creating the first non-segregated hospital which gave a lot of opportunities too many other black doctors and
Walter Payton was born on July 25, 1953 and died on November 1, 1999. He grew up in Colombia, Mississippi. When he was in college he played football for Jackson State University and played for the Chicago Bears in the NFL. His cause of death was because of a livor disease. Walter Payton was a great running back.
It was during this time that doctors and nurses, through experience also demonstrated that blood could be stored and then safely transferred from patient to patient saving countless soldiers’ lives.
laboratory. He took a job with a law firm, but left when a white secretary refused to take dictation from him. He decided to leave the practice of law and use his artistic talents in theater and music to promote African American history and culture.
There are a variety of areas in the science field that African Americans have participated. There were Chemists, Biochemists, Biologists, Physicists, and many others. There were people like Herman Branson who was an assistant professor of chemistry and physics at Howard University who help prepare many young students for the science field. Dr. Branson became a full professor of physics and was made chairman of the physics department of Howard University from 1941 to 1968. He had research interests in mathematical biology and protein structure.
Transfusions of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are critical to a patient's return to good health,
I have given blood before and I am aware of the questionnaire and procedures used during the blood donation process.
After completing high school in London, Alexander got a job as a shipping clerk. In 1901, Fleming started school at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School. This was the beginning of his medical studies. He got into St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School on a scholarship and a legacy that his uncle left. In 1908, Alexander won the gold medal as a top medical student at the University of London. Fleming was originally going to become a surgeon, but he started a temporary position in the laboratories at St. Mary’s. This temporary position led Fleming to change his field to bacteriology instead of surgery. It was here that Fleming met and learned under bacteriologist and immunologist, Sir Almroth Edward Wright, who was
In view of the rising costs of blood, the hospital tried to have sensible discussions with Red Cross and their answer was quite simple and disappointing and that was, for the hospital to get other blood suppliers if it simply didn’t like their prices. Carolinas Healthcare System was not the first to get such a blatant answer and neither was it to be the last. The hospital understood that though the Red Cross had their headquarters in Charlotte, and a national blood testing lab, decisions were not made from within but from St Louis. Based on this, they would not be expecting any considerable action as St. Lois never showed any interest in solving Carolina’s