Written by American Red Cross Volunteer, Shatabdi Pal

Mark your calendars! The 20th Annual Community Blood Drive will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the American Red Cross Portland Donor Center, located at 3131 N. Vancouver Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event is dedicated to honoring Dr. Charles Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950), a pioneer in blood preservation.

Dr. Charles Drew was an African American surgeon and medical researcher who made significant contributions to the field of blood transfusions, developed improved techniques for blood storage and established large-scale blood banks early in World War II. Due to these ground breaking advances, Dr. Drew is widely regarded as the “father of the blood bank.”

Drew was born in Washington, D.C. and despite facing several barriers, he became one of the most important scientists of the 20th Century. He did his research at Columbia’s Presbyterian Hospital and wrote a doctoral thesis, “Banked Blood: A Study on Blood Preservation,” based on an exhaustive study of blood preservation techniques. It was through this blood preservation research that Drew realized blood plasma could be preserved for two months or longer by separating the liquid blood from the cells. This thesis earned him his Doctor of Science in Medicine degree in 1940, making him the first African American to receive such a degree.

Drew’s work led to his appointment as director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank in February 1941. He also invented what would later be known as bloodmobiles, mobile donation stations that could collect blood and refrigerate it, allowing for greater mobility and increased prospective donations. The annual blood donation drive that the Red Cross has planned in June is a humble way to honor and commemorate Dr. Drew’s contributions.

Blood transfusions can prove to be lifesaving for various conditions such as blood loss, anemia, cancer, bleeding disorders, and complications from pregnancy or autoimmune diseases. For perspective, someone in the U.S. requires blood every two seconds. Hospitals and emergency treatment facilities need about 29,000 units of red blood cells, 5,000 units of platelets, and 6,500 units of plasma each day. Because of this need, the Red Cross, encourages people to donate blood in honor of Dr. Drew.

The Red Cross’s mission is to alleviate human suffering, and we need donors of all blood types to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients. Dr. Charles Drew’s lifesaving legacy continues today, and this blood drive event will celebrate this legacy. The event includes a special performance and presentation at 9:00 AM in the Atrium at the American Red Cross Portland Donor Center. All are cordially invited.

To sign up for any blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org.