On August 20, 1944, Dr. Charles R. Drew was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for his pioneering work in blood plasma preservation and storage. Drew, an African American surgeon and medical researcher, revolutionized blood banking during World War II, developing techniques that allowed for large-scale blood storage and transfusions. His innovations saved countless lives and laid the foundation for modern blood donation and transfusion practices.
The Spingarn Medal, established in 1914 by Joel Elias Spingarn, is awarded annually by the NAACP to recognize outstanding achievement by an African American.
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