DKMS hosted its annual black-tie gala produced by HK Media Group on October 20th in New York City at Cipriani Wall Street.
The annual event celebrates the organization’s continuous work to end blood cancer and help save the lives of many. As a display of their efforts during the gala, a 16-year-old patient from New York met her lifesaving donor, a man from Chile, on stage. This emotional moment was the first time the pair had met in person and shared a heartfelt moment on stage as many in the audience cheered and applauded. The day before the gala, another first-time donor and patient connection was made, where a mother of 4 from Utah met her German donor, spent their first day together at the gala, and appeared on the red carpet.
Throughout the night, speeches were given by actress and model Jaime King and actor Mario Cantone, as well as a moving performance from Aloe Blacc. Some of the guests in attendance included Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, and Rhuigi Villaseñor, as well as model Maria Borges and many more. There were various surprises for guests, such as a children’s choir filled with kids from around the world who have been given a second chance at life, and some still looking for donors. Both virtually and in person, together the children serenaded guests with the song We Are the World, by U.S.A. for Africa.
The company’s mission statement, ” We delete blood cancer,” is achieved through contributions from people throughout the world. DKMS has over 10 million donors registered worldwide and has received 100,000 donations from donors. This year’s gala raised a record $5.3 million to help continue DKMS’s goal to fight blood cancer and offer patients a second chance.