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Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 - April 1, 1950) was an African American physician, surgeon and medical researcher. He developed improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge to develop large-scale blood banks in WWII. This allowed medics to save thousands of lives of the Allied forces. Drew protested against the practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood, as it lacked scientific foundation, an action which cost him his job. In 1943, Drew's distinction in his profession was recognized when he became the first black surgeon selected to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery.