The Life-Saving Invention You Never Think About

Every day, hospitals rely on blood banks to save lives, from accident victims to people undergoing surgery. This system didn’t just appear overnight. It was made possible by the groundbreaking work of Charles Drew, a Black physician and medical researcher whose innovations transformed modern medicine.
In the early 20th century, Dr. Drew developed new ways to store and preserve blood plasma, allowing it to be transported safely and used when and where it was needed most. His work laid the foundation for large-scale blood banks and was critical during World War II, when plasma was used to treat injured soldiers and civilians. Dr. Drew’s contributions continue to save millions of lives today, often without people realizing where it all began.

Your Task:
Step 1: Understand the Problem
Why is storing and transporting blood safely such a big challenge in healthcare?

Step 2: Invent
Design a modern improvement to the blood bank system. Your idea could focus on:
Technology (AI tracking, smart storage, faster delivery)
Access (helping rural or underserved communities)
Communication (encouraging more people to donate blood
Describe:
Who it helps
What problem it solves
How it would work (in simple terms)

Step 3: Reflect
Why do you think it’s important to recognize inventors like Dr. Drew when learning about science and medicine?

Step 4: Inspire Others
Create a short slogan or poster headline that would inspire people your age to donate blood in the future.

This Skillbuilder is in celebration of Black History Month.