As people make plans to honor the 119th birthday of Dr. Charles R. Drew on June 3, there is one place dedicated to paying tribute to his life and legacy: The Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Donation Center at the American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C.
One of the most prominent African Americans in medicine, Dr. Drew is the “father of modern blood banking” and the first medical director of the Red Cross. As one of many firsts, he dedicated his life and career to leaving a legacy for others. Living by the mantra “excellence of performance will transcend artificial barriers created by man,” he believed the quality of his work would ascend beyond the racially segregated society in which he lived, and passionately instilled this principle in his family and Howard University students until his untimely death in 1950 at the age of 45.
“Dr. Drew died so young,” said Linda Mathes, former CEO of the Red Cross National Capital Region. “So, there are a lot of people who don’t know him, or don’t know his story. I felt strongly about honoring him and making sure people know it was a Black man, way ahead of his time, who came up with the blood processes that we’re still using today and that are still saving lives.”
Motivational Representation
The Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Donation Center is on the ground level of the east-facing three story vintage stone building. A signature bronze doorway leads to an elevator lobby finished in marble with grey veining. Inside the entryway, visitors are greeted by a large replica of a painting of Dr. Drew, originally painted by Betsy Graves Reyneau. (The original painting of Dr. Drew is displayed inside the main Red Cross headquarters building, at 2025 E. Street N.W., in the entrance hall.) Donors can also catch a glimpse of a large replica of the 35-cent Great Americans Series stamp of Dr. Drew issued on his 77th birthday in 1981.
In addition to images of Drew, the walls of the blood donation center are decorated with photos and testimonials of diverse blood recipients from all over the U.S., further magnifying the impact of Drew’s legacy in the lives of others, while projecting the importance of representation.
“I spent a lot of time sitting in the donor center to get to know the people,” said Mathes. “I saw people of all kinds, but we all wanted to see more African Americans, primarily to support the blood needs of those with sickle cell. It seemed so clear to me that it would be important for people to see people like Dr. Drew on the wall and as part of the center so that it’s not viewed as just a white person’s privilege to donate blood.”
A Culture of Excellence
For African American milestone blood donor Bradford Brown of D.C., giving blood is his way of giving back. He’s donated more than 10 gallons of blood to date and takes pride in giving blood at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Donation Center because his mother was a registered nurse who worked with Dr. Drew.
“We have donors that come in every other week, which seem like family sometimes,” said Tanya Catus, Red Cross team supervisor and resident tour guide at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Donation Center. “Being here in D.C. and so close to the White House, we get people from all walks of life. We’ve had some senators come through, the secretary of Veterans Affairs, news correspondents, directors from the museums, you know, just some really high-profile people.”
The Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Donation Center is open seven days a week, and Catus works to ensure every individual who enters feels welcomed and appreciated –- this includes visitors, donors, and staff members.
“We provide tours of the center to visitors, starting with the registration area, health history area, and explaining the types of donations that can be given here and how donors can support the Sickle Cell Initiative,” said Catus. “We also give our donors a card each time they give blood that says, ‘donors like you are precious, thanks for all you do’ and then we write a little note inside. We’ve also implemented a staff shout out board where donors can leave an encouraging note for staff members. I think it all makes a huge difference.”
Today, as Mathes reflects on the impact of the Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Donation Center and the increased number of African American donors through the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, she is delighted and reminded of her Red Cross team and the Honorable Charlene Drew Jarvis who helped ensure Dr. Drew would be honored at Red Cross national headquarters for many years to come.
“Charlene saw the need for more people to donate, and she was aware that those myths and untruths [about her father’s ability to receive medical treatment and blood products after his tragic car accident] would affect some people’s willingness to donate blood,” recalled Mathis. “She would also share her father’s powerful quote on excellence and how he called upon her and others to achieve excellence, and that there was no excuse for not striving to be excellent in what we do. I think we can all take that quote to heart as Dr. Drew’s family, students and colleagues have.”
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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