The Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award is an annual honor awarded to NYBC partners and leaders dedicated to raising awareness of the need for diverse blood donations
NEW YORK – New York Blood Center (NYBC) has awarded the 2025 Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award to Julia Iyasere, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President, Health Justice and Equity and Executive Director of NewYork-Presbyterian Dalio Center for Health Justice, in recognition of her groundbreaking work in advancing health equity and raising awareness about the need for diverse blood donors.
The Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award, presented annually during Black History Month, honors NYBC 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 from Columbia University, 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.
Dr. Iyasere’s dedication to social justice and health equity has been instrumental in championing the need to diversify the region’s blood supply and advocating for underserved patients. She leads NewYork-Presbyterian Dalio Center for Health Justice’s efforts to address longstanding health disparities due to race, socio-economic differences, limited access to care, and other complex factors that disproportionately impact the well-being of our communities.
One of the key focus areas for the Dalio Center for Health Justice is sickle cell disease, a group of genetic blood disorders that affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S., predominantly Black and Hispanic Americans. The Dalio Center has worked to educate the public about sickle cell disease and in 2024, launched a sickle cell awareness campaign with a special-edition basketball and social activation, among other initiatives.
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. NYBC holds 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.
“Dr. Iyasere’s unwavering dedication to improving health equity and advocating for diverse blood donations has created a lasting impact at NewYork-Presbyterian, New York City, and beyond,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York 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. New York Blood Center is proud to recognize Dr. Iyasere with the Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award, a well-deserved tribute to her exceptional leadership.”
“I am honored to receive the Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award from New York Blood Center,” said Dr. Iyasere. “Increasing the diversity of blood donors is vital for people with sickle cell disease who require frequent blood transfusions of closely matched blood to manage this chronic and debilitating condition. The award is a testament to NewYork-Presbyterian’s commitment to advancing health justice and creating a healthier future for all.”
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. requires a blood transfusion. NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems, is committed to helping address the urgent need for blood donations in New York City by encouraging New Yorkers to make donating blood part of their regular routine. To raise awareness, NewYork-Presbyterian partnered with Van Leeuwen Ice Cream last month, offering those who came to donate blood at select New York Blood Center locations a voucher for a pint of ice cream. More information on how to register to donate can be found on: nyp.org/donateblood.
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About New York Blood Center
Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the tri-state area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 150+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. NYBC 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 biopharmaceutical 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. NYBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.