On Nov. 16, the 2024 Red & White Ball marked another memorable chapter in our mission to save lives. Hosted by The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation, the evening was dedicated to advancing community awareness and education about blood donation, particularly among young people.
This year’s event was especially significant as we celebrated two milestones: BioBridge Global’s 50th anniversary and 20 years of the Red & White Ball. Since its inception in 2004, the ball has been a cornerstone in supporting our efforts to address the growing need for life-saving blood donations.
The challenges facing blood centers are greater than ever, with a decline in young donors since the pandemic. This makes initiatives like high school blood drives and youth outreach essential to sustaining our community’s blood supply.
The evening honored remarkable student champions who excelled in advocating for blood donation
• Savannah Salas was recognized for her creativity with the Most Creative Event Award, hosting a Halloween costume contest to inspire donations.
• Reed Kerne received the Most Inspiring Award for sharing his powerful story of how blood donations saved his life.
• Sofia Moreno-Salinas earned the Most Outreach Award for organizing the largest number of blood donations.
• Jonah Nirenberg was celebrated with the Influencer Award for leveraging digital platforms to promote blood donation.
Additionally, Oralia Ortiz received the Community Leadership Award for her exceptional efforts to mobilize her network in support of this cause.
The night also highlighted the contributions of key leaders and advocates
The Chairman’s Award was presented to Ginny and Art Bennert for their dedicated support. The Bennerts joined The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation board of directors in 2016, and have focused on the organization’s stewardship. Their passion for the Foundation’s mission shows in all they do.
Former BBG board chair Mike Kreager was honored with the Jubilee Award in recognition of his 30 years of leadership as a member and longtime board chair for the BioBridge Global Family of biomedical nonprofits. Kreager Joined the governing board in 1994 and played a key role in the formation of subsidiaries QualTex Laboratories and GenCure.
As we look to the future, we are inspired by the dedication of young leaders and their commitment to building a healthier, more resilient community through blood donation. Together, we are ensuring that the life-saving impact of our mission continues for generations to come.
Join us again on November 15, 2025 for our next Red & White Ball.
