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
Charles Drew, the black physician who created the first blood bank in 1941
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thegift.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/interns.jpg?resize=468%2C380&ssl=1)