By: Scott Marder, American Red Cross
 

When you roll up your sleeve to donate blood, you might not think about how that moment connects you to a legacy of medical innovation and humanitarian service. But every unit of blood collected today carries the mark of Dr. Charles Drew, a visionary surgeon, scientist and leader who helped shape the modern blood donation system we rely on now.

Born on June 3, 1904, in Washington, D.C., Dr. Drew was the first medical director of the American Red Cross Blood Services. At a time when blood transfusion was still a developing science, he pioneered methods for safely collecting, storing and transporting plasma, innovations that helped save thousands of lives during World War II and continue to do so every day.

Dr. Drew’s leadership came at a pivotal moment. In 1940, near the start of World War II, he directed the “Blood for Britain” campaign, which shipped blood plasma to treat wounded civilians and soldiers during the Blitz. He later led the first national blood donation program for the American Red Cross, introducing bloodmobiles that revolutionized how we gather and distribute lifesaving blood. Many of the systems he developed are still in use today.

But what truly set Dr. Drew apart wasn’t just his medical expertise. It was his belief that science should serve humanity. His work during a time of global crisis – developing a system to deliver care to those in need – was a profound act of public service. He saw beyond the lab and into the lives of people who would be helped by his work.

That same spirit is alive in every person who donates blood. When you take time out of your day to give, you’re not just performing a kind gesture, you’re providing a vital resource that saves lives. It’s an act of public service that requires no uniform or special training, just a willingness to help someone you may never meet.

Dr. Drew’s contributions were so significant that the American Red Cross named its blood donation center on E street in Washington D.C., across the street from the White House, in Dr. Drew’s honor.

Across the country, someone needs a blood transfusion every two seconds, for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatments and chronic conditions like sickle cell disease. Yet blood is only available because ordinary people choose to give. It cannot be manufactured in a lab.

Today, the need is urgent. Summer travel, severe weather and other seasonal challenges often reduce donor turnout. At the same time, hospitals must still care for patients every day. That’s why regular donations are so important and why your decision to roll up a sleeve matters more than ever.

More than 80 years after Dr. Drew helped create the systems we still rely on, his legacy continues, not only in the science he advanced but in the spirit of service he embodied. When you give blood, you become part of that story. You help carry it forward.

You can honor Dr. Drew's work by taking action. Make an appointment to donate blood today at RedCrossBlood.org.