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Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 07:02 PM Feb 2022

I learned today that Dr Charles Drew


was an African American 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.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_R._Drew


One of my best friends donates blood regularly. I don't know much about blood donation and looked. Another person whose R&D saved countless lives, but is little remarked upon. I shared the link with her on fb. I hope I can learn more, not just this month but from now on.
23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I learned today that Dr Charles Drew (Original Post) Marthe48 Feb 2022 OP
I've known this for a long time. elleng Feb 2022 #1
I got refused several times trying to donate blood Marthe48 Feb 2022 #3
I don't know WHY I know it; never have donated blood. elleng Feb 2022 #5
I'm like that Marthe48 Feb 2022 #8
I remember how I learned about him Leith Feb 2022 #11
SURE is possible for me, too!!! elleng Feb 2022 #12
So did I. BigmanPigman Feb 2022 #13
Was it the episode with the racist soldier who was afraid of being transfused with "black" blood? ShazzieB Feb 2022 #15
18. See my reply #17 n/t aggiesal Feb 2022 #23
They said the same to me but didn't specify which drugs they didn't want. Maraya1969 Feb 2022 #6
I take a number of medicines, but have known for a long time that I'm not eligible No Vested Interest Feb 2022 #7
See my reply #17 n/t aggiesal Feb 2022 #18
I believe I knew about Dr. Drew because the public libraries where I worked had biographies of him No Vested Interest Feb 2022 #22
There are LOTS of drug & other restrictions. All mandated by the FDA oldsoftie Feb 2022 #19
I am very glad you learned that. LoisB Feb 2022 #2
And in keeping with this being Black History Month. There is Lewis Latimer. brush Feb 2022 #4
Thank you. Marthe48 Feb 2022 #9
We learned that in graduate school ! I'm 72 yr's old ! ------- WTF ? monkeyman1 Feb 2022 #10
K&R brer cat Feb 2022 #14
The story of his death is not really true jmowreader Feb 2022 #16
If you ever watched the TV series M*A*S*H ... aggiesal Feb 2022 #17
Thank you for posting Marthe48 Feb 2022 #20
You're Welcome ... aggiesal Feb 2022 #21

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
3. I got refused several times trying to donate blood
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 07:10 PM
Feb 2022

said it was bp meds I took. I read that I should be able to donate, but guess not around here. So I don't know as much about donating blood as I would if I got to do it.

When I was in school, 50+ years ago, I read so many biographies about famous people who advanced medicine and science. But a bio. about Dr. Drew wasn't on the shelves.

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
8. I'm like that
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 07:37 PM
Feb 2022

My friend and I were talking about this the other day. She asked me if I ever knew something without remembering how I learned about it. I used to be a lot better read. I'm getting to the point to be grateful for anything I remember. I'm narrowing down my interests, life I guess.

ShazzieB

(15,952 posts)
15. Was it the episode with the racist soldier who was afraid of being transfused with "black" blood?
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 09:07 PM
Feb 2022

Just wondered, because it seems like it would fit.

As I recall, Hawkeye decided to teach that guy a lesson. I can't remember how they did I, but they made him think he was getting blood from a black donor and his skin was getting darker as a result.

Not a very appropriate way to promote healing in a wounded soldier, but that dude SO had it coming!

Maraya1969

(22,441 posts)
6. They said the same to me but didn't specify which drugs they didn't want.
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 07:18 PM
Feb 2022

I've been on a lot in my life.

No Vested Interest

(5,156 posts)
7. I take a number of medicines, but have known for a long time that I'm not eligible
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 07:25 PM
Feb 2022

to donate because I take an anti-anxiety drug, along with cholesterol, blood thinner, and heart meds.
I am not AA.
I presume many are not eligible, considering all the meds used in USA.

(I knew about Dr. Drew, but I was a librarian and have many off-beat bits of information.)

No Vested Interest

(5,156 posts)
22. I believe I knew about Dr. Drew because the public libraries where I worked had biographies of him
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 11:13 PM
Feb 2022

displayed, etc. during Black History Month.

I don't care for Mash and the type of humor presented. Never followed the show.
Your point is taken, though.

oldsoftie

(12,410 posts)
19. There are LOTS of drug & other restrictions. All mandated by the FDA
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 09:35 PM
Feb 2022

Even living in certain countries for a certain amount of time in the 80s

brush

(53,469 posts)
4. And in keeping with this being Black History Month. There is Lewis Latimer.
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 07:13 PM
Feb 2022

Carbon Light Bulb Filament, Invented by Lewis Latimer in 1881.

The light bulb itself was perfected by Thomas Edison, but the innovation used to create longer-lasting light bulbs with a carbon filament came from African American inventor Lewis Latimer.

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
9. Thank you.
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 07:41 PM
Feb 2022

Another inventor I didn't hear of before today.

I did learn about George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington in grade school.

jmowreader

(50,451 posts)
16. The story of his death is not really true
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 09:07 PM
Feb 2022

According to a popular myth, Dr. Drew died because the hospital he was taken to refused to treat him.

In truth, the hospital did treat hm - he was well known and liked there - but he had been brought in with unsurvivable injuries from a car crash.

aggiesal

(8,864 posts)
17. If you ever watched the TV series M*A*S*H ...
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 09:33 PM
Feb 2022

An episode called "Reverse Prejudice" was about a soldier needing an operation and asking the doctors not to give him blood from a black person.
So while under anesthesia, they darkened his skin just a little bit and the staff made innuendos about turning black and maybe he was given the wrong blood.

Then they told him about Dr. Charles Drew. I'll let you watch what happened in this 5 minute snippet from the show.

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
20. Thank you for posting
Sat Feb 5, 2022, 09:37 PM
Feb 2022

We watched M*A*S*H* when it was prime time. I think I remember this episode, but don't remember details.

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