2026 Red & White Ball Builds Momentum for BioBridge Global’s Future
Building on the success of the 2025 Red & White Ball, the goal for this year’s ball will be “funding the mission of BioBridge Global,” Foundation Executive Director Jay Podjenski shared with members of the board at its first meeting of 2026.
BioBridge Global and its subsidiaries are growing in multiple areas, and that growth is expected to pick up in 2026, BBG Chief Executive Officer Marty Landon informed the board:
- BBG Advanced Therapies has two new commercial biomanufacturing clients, with plans in the works for more.
- QualTex Laboratories has expanded its microbiology testing capacity with a new lab in Atlanta, and will be implementing a state-of-the-art blood testing system in both Atlanta and San Antonio this year.
- South Texas Blood & Tissue will be widening operations in the Rio Grande Valley in 2026, including more registered donors and preliminary work on a permanent donor center in the Valley.
CJ and Nicole Czlestua reported on the Red & White Ball – gross income was a record $930,00, with a net of $696,000, with 670 people attending the ball. The funds were enough to purchase a second fully furnished Mobile Leukapheresis Center.
Rebecca Nathan, the 2026 Red & White Ball Chair, explained “We will be the storytellers who tell Red & White Ball attendees what our organization does,” she said. Nathan unveiled this year’s Ball theme: “Ripple,” noting that what might start as a small action gains momentum and has the power to change the entire landscape.
