The Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award is an annual honor awarded to a CBC partner dedicated to raising awareness of the need for diverse blood donations
KANSAS CITY, MO – Community Blood Center (CBC) has awarded the 2025 Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award to James Jackson and the Delta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi in recognition of the organization’s dedication to organizing blood donation events in partnership with CBC throughout the last year. CBC presented James Jackson and Delta Phi with their award on Wednesday, February 26th at CBC’s Topeka Donor Center.
The Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award, presented annually during Black History Month, honors CBC partners who champion the importance of diversity in the blood supply. Named for Dr. Charles Drew, known as the father of modern blood banking and the first African American to earn a Doctor of Medical Science degree, the award celebrates his lifesaving contributions during World War II which led to the technology and practices used by the nation’s first blood banks and bloodmobiles.
James Jackson is Delta Phi’s Social Action Chair, where he has worked with CBC to host two blood drives in Topeka this year. The first blood drive was held near the anniversary of Dr. Charles Drew’s passing and the other was held in celebration of Juneteenth. These two blood drives collected 26 donations and impacted the lives of more than 75 patients in the Greater Topeka community.
“We’re grateful to James Jackson and Omega Psi Phi for their incredible work to encourage blood donations in the Topeka community over the last year” said Chelsey Smith, Director of Public Relations at Community Blood Center. “This Black History Month, we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Charles Drew, whose innovative work transformed modern blood banking and saved countless lives. Community Blood Center is proud to recognize James Jackson and the Delta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi with this award, a well-deserved tribute for an exceptional and historic organization.”
“As the first and oldest Omega Chapter in the State of Kansas, and celebrating our Centennial this year on May 14th, 2025, Delta Phi is indeed proud to be the first recipient of our esteemed luminary, Brother Dr. Charles R. Drew,” said Brother James Jackson, Social Action Chair at Omega Psi Phi’s Delta Phi Chapter. “To have his award be presented to another brother in his fraternity is equally heartfelt.”
Diverse blood donations are critical for patients with conditions like sickle cell disease. These patients often require very closely matched blood products due to their body’s tendency to produce antibodies against transfused red blood cells. CBC and NYBCe hold the largest inventory of rare blood in the world, making it a critical resource for patients with unique transfusion needs. A robust and diverse blood supply is critical for ensuring equitable healthcare across the region.
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About Community Blood Center
Founded in 1958, Community Blood Center (CBC) has served Kansas and Missouri for more than 65 years, delivering more than 150,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 70+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. CBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biomedical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment, and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. CBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit savealifenow.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.