How did Charles Drew invent the blood bank?
“Dr Charles Drew researched blood plasma and transfusions in New York City. It was during his work at Columbia University where he made his discoveries relating to the preservation of blood. By separating the liquid red blood cells from the near solid plasma and freezing the two separately, he found that blood could be preserved and reconstituted at a later date. Charles Drew’s system for the storing of blood plasma revolutionised the medical profession. He also established the American Red Cross blood bank, of which he was the first director, and organised the world’s first blood bank drive, nicknamed ‘Blood for Britain’, supplying blood plasma to the British during World War II. The British military used his process extensively during World War II, establishing mobile blood banks to aid in the treatment of wounded soldiers at the front lines. At the age of 45, Dr Drew was killed in an automobile accident while driving to a scientific conference, however, his pioneering medical work h
