An unmistakable sense of hope radiated within Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Wednesday, May 1st as guests gathered for the annual DKMS gala.
DKMS is an international nonprofit organization who is dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Amazingly, the organization was started all with one family’s search for a donor. The story behind DKMS lies with founder Peter Harf – who went door to door attempting to find a donor match for his wife. His wife, unfortunately, lost her fight – which prompted and inspired Harf to create a bone marrow donor center. He works alongside his daughter, Katharina Harf who is a co-founder of the organization. Together, they have devoted themselves to the cause.
The center has since provided more than 77,000 transplants as well as registering nine million potential donors. Each donor facilitating a sense of hope to the next family. DKMS strives to support patients as they continue to advocate for the registering of possible donors, raising awareness, and improving therapy/research in effort to provide many with a second chance of life. Ambassador Coco Rocha emphasized how unlike others, this is cancer that has an actually cure – but many are not aware of it.
At the gala, DKMS raised over $4.7 million in support! With Tom Brokaw as the host, the event honored Bob Cusimano, a blood cancer survivor. The evening also featured a performance by artist “Seal”. However, arguably the highlight of the night arose when 11-year-old Carson Lenington met his donor Luke Beckett for the first time on stage. It’s moments like these that make DKMS so inspirational for everyone in attendance!