Blogs » donateblood » Dr. Charles Drew, "Inventor of Blood Banking"

Subscribe


 
Dr. Charles Drew, "Inventor of Blood Banking"
By donateblood in donateblood
February 26, 2010

Image

With only a few days left in February, I’d like to shine the spotlight on an African-American man who helped pave the way for blood donations. The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) recognizes the “inventor of blood banking” Dr. Charles Drew during Black History Month in February.

During Dr. Drew's residency at Columbia University's Presbyterian Hospital in the 1940's, Drew developed a technique for the long term preservation of blood plasma. By separating the liquid part of blood (plasma) from the whole blood (the part containing the red blood cells) and refrigerating them separately, he could combine them up to a week later for transfusion.

STBTC still uses Dr. Drew's method of separation to break each unit of blood donated into several components, helping as many as three patients with a donation from one donor. Patients like Chris Pinkerton who suffer from sickle cell anemia and need blood transfusions often benefit from blood donors.

With the advanced research and technology, red blood cells now have a shelf life of 42 days and plasma can be frozen and stored for a year. To donate blood and help save lives, visit our Web site at www.southtexasblood.org