Dr. Charles Drew:

The scientists behind blood transfusions

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Charles_R_Drew_portrait.jpgi

In 1940, the U.S. Government  organized the first national blood collection group in America called the plasma program. Run by Dr. Charles Drew, who previously lead a organization called, blood for Britain Dr. Drew was a surgeon, physician, and medical researcher. Dr. Charles Drew changed the medical industry, Developing the invention of blood banks and different ways to store blood. The plasma program was used during WWII, and collected over 13 million pints of blood

In 1941, Dr. Charles Drew was the first African American surgeon to work for the American board of surgery.