In 1940, Drew became the first African American to receive a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia University.

When World War II broke out in Europe, the British were in need of medical aid, particularly, blood and plasma for transfusions.

Organisations, including the American Red Cross, launched the “Blood for Britain” programme and Drew was named as a project director.

He, however, resigned from his post after the United States War Department issued an order that blood taken from White donors should be segregated from that of Black donors.

Drew later returned to Howard University to head its Department of Surgery.

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