When World War II broke 0 in the early
1940's, millions of men and women from
around the orld fought-and died in a
war that they thought would advance the
cause of democracy and freedom. For
this cause, thousands of dedicated peo
ple-from Russia to America-contribu-
ted their skills talents, and efforts
towards developing and inventing the
I tools and battle plans. They invented
many different kinds of weapons that
_ made the difference between victory and
defeat.
In this category of dedicated people, we
cannot overlook the outstanding con
tribution of Dr. Charles Drew, an African
American scientist and physician whose
* pioneering work is often given the
credit for providing * the competitive
edge to the U.S. troops in the war. Dr.
Drew developed the blood plasma banks
which are now commonplace in
hospitals, clinics, warfronts and emer
gency sce es around the world.
Plasma is the pale-yellow or grayish
yellow fluid portion of the blood in which
the corpuscles-or red and white
cells-are suspended. In its sterilized,
cell-free form, blood plasma is used for
* transfusions to people in urgent need
of blood. It was Charles Drew who first
identified and isolated the blood plasma
to make it possible for banks-or huge
stored deposits to be flown to Europe's
warfronts.lt was here that many millions
had died because there were no life sav
ing fluids to be injected into their wound
ed bodies.
While Dr. Drew made a significant con
tribution to the fight for democracy and
the struggle against Nazism and
Fascism in Europe-he lost his own life
because of that same racism in America.
And ironically, it was Dr. Drew who need
ed only a transfusion to live.
r
One dark evening in the 1940's, Dr. Drew
and a friend were driving along a
highway and had a car accident. Dr.
Drew's companion struggled to get him
to the nearest hospital. He had lost a lot
of blood. He needed transfusions so that
he could be saved. They arrived at the
hospital. Dr. Drew was recognized as be
ing black. The white doctors and other
staff refused to care for Dr. Drew and he
died. He had been denied the very same
lifesaving fluid which he had labored to
make available to millions like him,
whose lives were threatened by this lack
of blood.
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Dr. Charles Drew-great doctor and
great scientist-must be remembered,
by our people-and especially our
young-for his magnificent skills which
he dedicated to the service of humanity,
and for the sad way he died-a reminder
to all of us that our own fight for freedom
is far .from over.
Word Sui
Words:
Marvin smiled and said "Than you-_
yes sir, I want a chance! Then arvin
ran home to tell his friend Bill about his
new job.
JOB •••••••••.••••••••• Continued/rom page J
Shop. The manager said "You were here
Monday-but you look different today."
Marvin said "Maybe it's my clothes that
makes me look different. I thought that
maybe if I 100 better, people might give
me a chance."
The manager smiled and said "You're
right, young man. I'm gald you see that.
If you want a chance, you've got a job
here.'
PIO EERING-groundbreaking,
leading.
THE CO PETITIVE EDGE-the advan-
tage. •
TRANSFUSIO S-the process of trans
ferring blood from one person or anima'
to another.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
chievement of excellenc« can be our onl aim .
• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• )7