Media Contact: Scott Marder
Telephone: (410) 458-6563
scott.marder2@redcross.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 13, 2026) – The American Red Cross DC Chapter today announced that Ernie Drew Jarvis, a vice chairman at Savills and a nationally recognized business and civic leader, has joined its board, bringing both deep professional expertise and a historic connection to the organization’s blood services mission.

Jarvis is the grandson of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the pioneering surgeon and scientist who helped establish modern blood banking and served as the first medical director of American Red Cross Blood Bank during World War II. Dr. Drew’s work transformed how blood and plasma were collected, preserved and distributed, saving countless lives and laying the foundation for systems still used today.

Jarvis’s appointment comes at a critical time for the Red Cross, as it works to maintain a safe, sufficient blood supply, strengthen public trust and meet growing humanitarian needs across the District of Columbia and the surrounding region.

“Dr. Charles R. Drew helped define what is possible when science, service and public trust come together,” said Elaine Scivetti, board chair for the DC Chapter of the Red Cross. “Ernie Jarvis brings that same seriousness of purpose, along with decades of leadership at the highest levels of business and civic life. His voice and perspective will strengthen our governance and help guide the chapter as we confront today’s challenges.”

In 1941, Dr. Drew oversaw the nation’s first large-scale blood drives using bloodmobiles, expanding access to lifesaving donations at a time when the concept of volunteer blood donation was still relatively new. A Washington, D.C. native, he also became a key mentor to generations of African American surgeons and remains a towering figure in both medical and science history.

For Jarvis, joining the board is both personal and forward‑looking.

“My grandfather believed deeply in excellence, integrity and service to humanity,” Jarvis said. “The American Red Cross gave him a platform to turn science into action at a moment when lives depended on it. Today, the mission is just as urgent. I am honored to support an organization that continues to save lives while working to serve communities with fairness and respect.”

Jarvis is a vice chairman in Savills’ Washington, D.C. office, where he advises senior executives on complex real estate strategy, workplace transformation and financial decision-making. He has held senior leadership roles at prominent commercial real estate firms and has served on boards and in leadership positions across the business, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.

“Ernie’s experience advising organizations through high-stakes decisions makes him an invaluable addition to our board,” said Patricia Vargas, executive director of the DC Chapter of the American Red Cross. “His connection to Dr. Drew’s legacy underscores the enduring importance of the Red Cross blood mission and our commitment to innovation, trust and service.”

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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