October 1, 1940 –Dr. Charles Drew “Plasma for Great Britain” Project
On October 1, 1940, famed blood plasma researcher, Dr. Charles Drew was named as the supervisor for Great Britain’s Blood Plasma Project. There was a great need for blood plasma to help in the lifesaving medical efforts going on with World War II in Europe. Drew was recruited to organize and administer a pioneering program in the storage and preservation of blood. The project was based in New York to recruit Americans to give blood to help soldiers and civilians in Great Britain. The program acquired, tested, stored and properly shipped blood from approximately 15,000 people over a five month period. The project was applauded as being very successful. Later in 1941, Dr. Drew’s research helped establish the American Red Cross Blood Bank.
![By Darwinek at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons Charles R Drew portrait](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Charles_R_Drew_portrait.jpg)
Dr. Charles R. Drew
![By Unknown or not provided (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons "After receiving first aid treatment in practice raid in Washington, DC, air-raid `victim' is removed to hospital by a M - NARA - 535826](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/%22After_receiving_first_aid_treatment_in_practice_raid_in_Washington%2C_DC%2C_air-raid_%60victim%27_is_removed_to_hospital_by_a_M_-_NARA_-_535826.jpg/512px-%22After_receiving_first_aid_treatment_in_practice_raid_in_Washington%2C_DC%2C_air-raid_%60victim%27_is_removed_to_hospital_by_a_M_-_NARA_-_535826.jpg)
“After receiving first aid treatment in practice raid in Washington, DC, air-raid `victim’ is removed to hospital by a Medical Corps of the Office of Civilian Defense.” The physician is Dr. Charles Drew. Circa 1941 – 1945