Charles Drew was an African American physician and surgeon known for his pioneering work in blood transfusion and storage. He developed methods for the processing and preservation of blood plasma, which significantly improved the efficiency of blood banks. His research played a crucial role during World War II, where his techniques helped save countless lives. In addition to his medical contributions, Drew was an advocate for racial equality in medicine. He became the first director of the American Red Cross Blood Bank and fought against the segregation of blood donations, emphasizing that blood should be treated equally, regardless of the donor's race.