Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Drive

Every year in June, Xi Lambda Lambda chapter participates in the Charles R. Drew Blood Drive in Rockland County, NY.

Dr. Charles R. Drew was a surgeon and medical researcher. He researched in the field of blood transfusions, developing improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge to developing large-scale blood banks early in World War II. This allowed medics to save thousands of lives of the Allied forces. As the most prominent African American in the field, Dr. Drew protested against the practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood, as it lacked scientific foundation, and resigned his position with the American Red Cross, which maintained the policy until 1950.

Dr. Drew was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.  He was the first African American surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery.