History's Secret Heroes

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Helena Bonham Carter shines light on extraordinary stories from World War Two.

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History's Secret Heroes: 17. Charles Drew and the Blood Bank

17. Charles Drew and the Blood Bank

BBC Radio 4 - History's Secret Heroes, 17. Charles Drew and the Blood Bank

How did an African-American doctor come to lead the blood bank effort during the war?

Doctor Charles Drew led the creation and use of blood banks, saving countless lives both in war and in peacetime.

Charles Drew, an American doctor, led the creation and use of blood banks, saving countless lives both in war and in peacetime. But while he worked around the clock to save lives, he would be dragged into a battle on a different front: the battle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States. 

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. 

A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.  

Producer: Suniti Somaiya 
Assistant Producer: Lorna Reader 
Executive Producer: Paul Smith  
Written by Alex von Tunzelmann  
Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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History's Secret Heroes

17. Charles Drew and the Blood Bank

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