On Oct. 16, The Foundation was honored to host the Valero Texas Open (VTO) Trailblazers for their monthly meeting and a special tour of our facilities.
The visit was made possible by Chris Callaway, Vice President and General Manager at UBEO Business Services and new Foundation board director who toured earlier this year with board director Stephanie Stephens.
Chris, a member of the VTO Trailblazers, extended an invitation for the group to hold their meeting at BioBridge Global. It was an opportunity to strengthen our connection with the VTO, with whom the Foundation has partnered for years through Champions fore Charity.
The Trailblazers met in Donor Pavilion, where the team shared The Foundation’s mission, impactful patient stories and information on how to get involved, including details about the upcoming Red & White Ball.
A wholesome moment came when one Trailblazer recognized Amy’s story and shared a photo from our presentation with Brandi Morkovsky, Amy’s mom. They knew each other!
Following the meeting, Ray Rendon, Senior Director, Industry Engagement, and Naomi Herrera, Senior Manager of the Clinical Leukapheresis Services, led a tour of the Apheresis Center and Mobile Leukapheresis Center. During the tour, Naomi shared her daughter Taylor’s story, which always inspires and helps others see the impact of our mission.
Thanks to funding from last year’s Red & White Ball, South Texas Blood & Tissue will be announcing its first GenGive Scholarship program soon, Audra Taylor, STB&T Vice President, Blood & Tissue Operations, told The Foundation board at its November meeting.
A total of $60,000 in 25 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors at the end of the 2025-26 school year, including a $12,000 award given to a student who donated blood eight times while in high school. More information is at GenGiveTX.org.
Donations among high school students – the focus of the GenGive program – continue to grow this school year, she added.
Taylor told the board the organization plans to open a new donor center in Alamo Heights in the first quarter of 2026 and one in the Rio Grande Valley by the end of 2026. She noted that South Texas Blood & Tissue will continue to conduct mobile blood drives in the Rio Grande Valley in 2026.
The final meeting of The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation for 2025 board kicked off with the announcement that Mary Uhlig, who serves as Executive Director of The Foundation as well as Executive Director of Community Affairs for BioBridge Global, will be retiring at the end of the year.
Taking on her role as Executive Director of The Foundation will be Jay Podjenski, Senior Director, Donor Marketing & Community Engagement, South Texas Blood & Tissue.
“I can say it’s just been an absolute honor and privilege to work with each member of the board and to support the work to advance our lifesaving mission,” Mary said. “I know that with the Foundation team led by Jay and with the dedication of our volunteer leaders, the Foundation will continue to grow in the positive impact it has on our organization and our community.”
Jay has an extensive background and connections in the community, and he said he looks forward to connecting with board members over the coming weeks.
Mobile Leukapheresis Center update
The board also heard details about the recent first cell collection in the first-of-its-kind Mobile Leukapheresis Center.
Proceeds from this year’s Red & White Ball will go toward a second of the unique vehicles, nicknamed the Big Blue Bus.
The most important thing the mobile center does is extend access to advanced therapies to those without, explained Dr. Vivienne Marshall, Executive Director, Starting Materials and Clinical Services.
She added that BBG Advanced Therapies has partnered with one of the world’s largest clinical research organizations to leverage the capacity provided by the new mobile leukapheresis center.
Simon Hart was the first person to donate in BBG Advanced Therapies’ mobile leukapheresis center.
Simon Hart, the first donor, spoke about his experience, praising the nursing team for its dedication and the importance of donation.
Hart has donated whole blood for more than 16 years and continues a legacy of giving left by his father Mark, who recently passed away from cancer.
“I will sit in that chair and gladly give of my time and of my body to give care for the people who need it,” Simon said. “I do this in his name. And for those of us who are no longer with us…I give in their name…there will always be someone else to save.”
Red & White Ball update
Nicole Czelusta, the 2025 Red & White Ball Chair, gave an update on the progress for this year’s event, which will be held on Nov. 15 at the Marriott Rivercenter.
Red & White Ball Chairs Nicole and CJ Czelusta encouraged board members and their friends to participate in the live auction bidding. The Red & White Ball team has worked tirelessly to create an experience for guests, from preparing a special Japanese-themed menu, floral design and a taiko performance.
“Advanced therapies repair the body at its deepest levels and restore lives with new strength and beating,” she said, “We wanted to design the evening to celebrate the beauty of restoration.”
As of Nov. 3, the ball has raised $657,000, she said. Champions have been rallying nonstop for the cause, raising more than $90,000 collectively, Nicole said.
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