The American Red Cross and the family of Dr. Charles R. Drew hosted the national screening of “Iconic Excellence: The Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew” on October 15 at the Hall of Service at Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The evening marked the documentary’s release in the 85th anniversary year of Dr. Drew’s appointment as the first medical director of the Red Cross Blood Program.

The event was planned and hosted by the Drew Council, a volunteer, cross-functional team of Red Crossers supporting the documentary’s rollout. More than 160 guests attended, including Dr. Drew’s daughters, BeBe Drew Price and Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, and extended family; Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, interim president of Howard University; Mark Jackson, 43rd international president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP; Leon Russell, chairman of the NAACP; and Melissa Koby, the acclaimed artist who created the film’s artwork. They joined Red Cross leadership and partners from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. and others whose collaboration supports the Sickle Cell Initiative.

The film follows Dr. Drew, a Black physician who pioneered blood banking techniques and became the first medical director of the American Red Cross Blood Bank. His breakthroughs in blood preservation, storage and mobilization saved hundreds of thousands of lives during World War II and laid the foundation for the system that still saves lives today.

Ernie Drew Jarvis, Dr. Drew’s grandson and a Red Cross National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region board member, welcomed guests on behalf of the family.

“Tonight is about more than remembering an extraordinary physician and scientist,” said Ernie. “It is about remembering what he stood for: excellence, perseverance, service, and the belief that our talents carry with them a responsibility to improve the lives of others.”

Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Product and Process Management for Red Cross Blood Services, noted that the Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood supply, a mission that continues because of the work Dr. Drew began 85 years ago.

Rosy McGillan, chief marketing and communications officer of the Red Cross, introduced the film.

“Throughout this journey, Dr. Drew’s unwavering standard of excellence served as our North Star,” said Rosy. “We knew that to tell this story with care and respect, we needed to show his deep roots, lived experiences and humanitarian drive.”

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Jenni Gasbarro, senior director of Red Cross Product Development, Donor Diversity and Youth Engagement. Jarvis and his cousin, Dr. Kelly Price Noble, were joined by Dr. Yvette Miller, executive medical officer at the American Red Cross, and the film’s creators: Tiffany Taylor, writer and executive producer; Brad Zerivitz, director; and Bianca Bowman, producer. Topics ranged from the family’s work to correct misconceptions about Dr. Drew’s departure from the Red Cross and the care he received after his accident to the link between Dr. Drew’s legacy and the Sickle Cell Initiative.

Following the panel, the Drew family received a governor’s citation on behalf of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore recognizing the 85th anniversary of Dr. Drew’s appointment.

Dr. Frederick, a surgeon who lives with sickle cell disease, spoke about Dr. Drew’s influence on his own career and family. Dr. Drew’s quote, “Excellence of performance will transcend artificial barriers created by man,” inspired the film’s title and has been so meaningful to Dr. Frederick’s son that he had it tattooed.

Jackson announced that Omega Psi Phi members, Dr. Drew’s fraternity brothers, have committed to donating more than 7,000 units of blood in his honor and hosting screenings of “Iconic Excellence.”

Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, who was instrumental in establishing the Dr. Charles R. Drew Donation Center at national headquarters, offered acknowledgments on behalf of the family.

“The Red Cross and my father’s name are synonymous,” said Charlene. “When I see the bloodmobiles, it takes me back to a picture of my father in front of a bloodmobile with members of the Red Cross. It’s a picture in history, Red Cross history, and a reminder that my father’s drive was extraordinary.”

That drive was on display before the program began. Dr. Kelly Price Noble, who traveled with her mother, BeBe Drew Price, and other family members to celebrate the release, gave blood earlier in the evening at the donation center named for her grandfather.

“It’s a really special night,” said Kelly. “A lot of people don’t realize that blood donation is easy. I give blood every 56 days and host blood drives in California, because people need blood for accidents, for regular transfusions and especially for our military members.”

One guest took that message to heart. Iris Hill, who traveled from Los Angeles to attend in support of her friend, writer and executive producer Tiffany Taylor, was so moved by the film that she made her first blood donation at the same center.

“I’ve been aware of Dr. Charles Drew, but the excellence of the film, his story and what he went through moved me,” said Iris. “As Dr. Noble said, ‘one bag can help save up to three lives.’ How dare I not honor his legacy by giving blood?”

Dr. Drew’s legacy lives on in every donation. Watch “Iconic Excellence” on the American Red Cross YouTube channel, then host a screening, organize a blood drive or give blood in his honor at RedCrossBlood.org/IconicExcellence.