Media Contacts:

Red Cross: Bethany Bray Patterson

703-744-0343

Bethany.patterson@redcross.org

Forbright Bank: Ben Wakana

207-551-7415

bwakana@forbrightbank.com

For Immediate Release

CHEVY CHASE, MD, DEC. 2, 2025 — Forbright Bank and the American Red Cross are marking Giving Tuesday with the announcement of a gift that will help save lives: Sponsorship of a hybrid vehicle supporting blood operations and disaster relief across the region.

Forbright Bank, a longtime partner of the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region, has generously sponsored a hybrid vehicle that has officially joined the Red Cross vehicle fleet. The Forbright-sponsored Toyota Camry is based at the Red Cross office in Baltimore and will be used by biomedical employees to drive between blood drives and blood collection locations throughout the region, shuttle supplies and conduct important quality inspections that ensure the safety of the blood supply and compliance with FDA regulations. It can also be used by Red Cross disaster relief teams when needed.

“At Forbright Bank, we believe in strengthening communities and supporting those in need. Our partnership with the American Red Cross reflects our commitment to making a meaningful impact—whether through disaster relief, lifesaving blood donations, or community resilience,” said Don Cole, Chief Executive Officer at Forbright Bank. “We’re proud to help ensure that the tremendous work of the American Red Cross reaches people when they need it most.”

“For years, Forbright Bank has hosted blood drives and been a steadfast partner of the Red Cross, and this sponsorship adds another layer to their generosity,” said Jodi Zand, blood donor services executive for the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region. “We couldn’t do the lifesaving work we do without the generous support of community partners like Forbright. This hybrid vehicle is already playing an important role in our operations, and we are grateful.”

The Red Cross supplies blood products to roughly 60 hospitals in the greater D.C. and Baltimore area. Last year, the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region held more than 6,700 blood drives throughout the region and collected more than 154,000 units of lifesaving blood from generous donors.

The Forbright-sponsored Toyota Camry is one of more than 120 hybrid vehicles that the Red Cross has put into use across the U.S. in the last two years, replacing gasoline-powered vehicles to reduce the environmental impact of its vehicle fleet.

Season Of Giving

The American Red Cross has supported local communities for more than 140 years, including offering care and comfort to families impacted by disasters, providing essential services to military service members and their families, and furnishing approximately 40% of the nation’s blood supply. Today, as throughout our long history, the Red Cross depends on generous contributions of time, blood and money from the American public to support our lifesaving services and programs.

Community partners like Forbright Bank play an essential part in this mission, and today kicks off a season of generosity that helps ensure the Red Cross will be there for local families when help can’t wait.

This Giving Tuesday and holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or to give back through volunteering. You can also make an appointment to give blood or platelets. The need for blood is constant — and just like disasters, medical emergencies don’t take holidays.

An average of 90 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in providing care and comfort for those in need. In the last fiscal year, the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region distributed more than $1.4 million in direct financial assistance to local families who had experienced a home fire or other disaster. 

About Giving Tuesday:

Giving Tuesday is an annual event dedicated to boosting radical generosity, held on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Created in 2012 at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the idea behind Giving Tuesday was to set aside a single day to give back. Over 13 years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to donate, volunteer and spread awareness. For many nonprofits, funds raised on Giving Tuesday serve as an important kickoff for year-end charitable campaigns.

About Forbright Bank:

Forbright Bank (www.forbrightbank.com) is an FDIC-insured bank and commercial lender focused on helping to build a brighter future. Forbright is committed to exceptional client service by providing seamless, innovative personal banking services to depositors and creative financing solutions to middle market businesses and investors in healthcare, technology, financial services, real estate, and other industries.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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