On Monday, February 16, Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) presented Children’s Minnesota with the 2026 Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award in recognition of its efforts to promote blood donation and Sickle Cell Disease awareness. The award honors MBC partners who are committed to ensuring a healthy and diverse blood supply and is presented annually during Black History Month.
Known as the “Father of Blood Banking,” Dr. Charles Richard Drew was a prominent African American surgeon, medical researcher, and pioneer in the preservation of lifesaving blood products. His work saved thousands of lives during World War II and paved the path for the modern-day blood banking industry. Dr. Drew was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a historically Black/African American Greek fraternity that today sponsors annual blood drives in his honor.
Each September, Children’s Minnesota hospital hosts a blood drive in recognition of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The health system also organizes drives around other key observances including:
The Family Resources Program and Employee Resource Groups at Children’s Minnesota organize the drives in partnership with MBC.
Jennifer Kaluza, MBC’s Executive Director of Operations, presented the Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award to Children’s Minnesota’s James Burroughs, Senior Vice President, Government and Community Relations, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer and Caroline Njau, Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer.
Kaluza noted that divisions of New York Blood Center Enterprises, including MBC, present the award with the Drew family’s blessing to recognize leaders who promote donor diversity. While matching ABO and Rh types is standard, closer matches by ethnicity can be lifesaving for sickle cell patients, among others.
“The Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award recognizes individuals and organizations who demonstrate leadership in strengthening the blood supply and advancing the need for donor diversity to meet the needs of all patients,” said Kaluza. “This year, we are honored to recognize Children’s Minneapolis-Minnesota for their longstanding partnership, donor recruitment efforts, advocacy, or leadership that has helped increase awareness and participation among diverse donor communities.”
