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19th Annual DKMS Gala Returns To Cipriani Wall Street On October 14

Event Honors Supermodel, Advocate & Founder Coco Rocha For Passionate Support Of The Organization’s Life-Saving Mission

Featuring A Performance By The Alvin Ailey Dance Company

Gala Raises Critical Funds To Support DKMS’s Mission To Provide Patients Around The World With A Second Chance At Life

 

 



September 4, 2025 – DKMS, the most significant non-profit organization in the world to fight blood cancer and blood disorders, announces its 19th annual black-tie gala on Tuesday, October 14th at New York’s Cipriani Wall Street. This year’s event will honor supermodel Coco Rocha and her passionate support of DKMS’ vital work over the years.

DKMS Gala 2025 will feature a live performance by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, plus an exciting live auction hosted by comedian Mario Cantone.

The evening will highlight the story of Madison Adams, a 13-year-old survivor of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and her donor William Dossett, who was inspired to become a donor because of his friend’s life saving transplant in college.

Proceeds from the evening will directly support DKMS’s mission of saving lives by registering stem cell donors, providing patients in low and middle-income countries with access to transplantation, and advancing research and development in blood cancer treatment. For ticket information, please visit www.DKMS.org/gala.

"Our gala is a celebration of the global community that makes our work possible. The generosity of our supporters allows us to continue our worldwide mission, reaching patients and donors across five continents. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every single patient, no matter where they are, has the chance to find a matching donor and a future free from blood cancer." says Katharina Harf, Chairman of DKMS Global.

Gala Honoree Coco Rocha shares “I've been privileged to support DKMS for more than a decade! Their mission, to give people a second chance at life, is something truly profound to see in action. Every donor match is nothing short of a miracle, made possible by the tireless dedication of this extraordinary organization. My friend Katharina has been the heart and driving force behind so much of this work. Her vision, courage, and boundless compassion inspire me in every way. To stand alongside her in this cause has been one of the great honors of my life."

“For more than 30 years, Coty has proudly partnered with DKMS in their mission to save lives. Their science-driven approach deeply resonates with us at Coty, where our approach to beauty is rooted in cutting-edge science and driven by innovation. We want to give people confidence and empower them to be fearlessly kind — to themselves, to others, and to the world around them.” said Sue Nabi, CEO of Coty.

Peter Harf founded DKMS 34 years ago in honor of his wife who lost her battle to leukemia and it has since evolved into an international and multifaceted organization registering donors in seven countries on five continents. Leading beauty company Coty and global investors JAB have long supported the organization, helping to amplify its mission and worldwide impact.

In addition to having over 13 million registered donors worldwide, DKMS also supports patients in countries where access to transplantation is limited. Through financial assistance, investments in medical infrastructure, and education, DKMS ensures that these patients have a fighting chance against blood cancer and blood disorders.

The organization also invests in clinical trials, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art laboratory technology to improve outcomes for patients. This commitment to advancing medical science is central to DKMS’s mission and is helping to shape the future of blood cancer treatment.

Gala leadership include Event chairs Peter Harf, Katharina Harf and Viktoria von Wulffen, and DKMS Ambassadors LP and Coco Rocha.

ABOUT DKMS

DKMS is the most significant non-profit organization in the world to fight blood cancer and blood disorders. Founded in Germany in 1991 by Dr. Peter Harf, DKMS has since relentlessly pursued the aim of giving as many patients as possible a second chance at life. With more than 13 million registered donors, DKMS has succeeded in doing this over 130,000 times to date by providing blood stem cell donations to those in need. This accomplishment has led to DKMS becoming the global leader in the facilitation of unrelated blood stem cell transplants. The organization has offices in Germany, the US, Poland, the UK, Chile, South Africa, and India. Its international expansion is key to helping patients worldwide. Blood cancer knows no borders. DKMS is also strongly committed to providing access to transplantation for patients living in low- and middle-income countries, as well as advancing research and development to improve the survival and recovery rate of patients.

ABOUT HONOREE COCO ROCHA

Coco Rocha is an internationally acclaimed supermodel, entrepreneur, and educator who has redefined modeling through two decades of innovation and influence. Named Model of the Year by Elle and Marie Claire, and hailed by Vogue Paris and Vogue Italia as one of the top models of all time, she has graced the runways of every major fashion house and appeared in countless international campaigns and covers.

Widely known as the "Queen of Pose," Coco is considered one of the most technically proficient and versatile models of her generation. In 2014, she authored Study of Pose, a 2,000-page visual encyclopedia that has become a go-to reference for models and photographers alike. A pioneer in digital influence, Coco was the first high-fashion model to fully embrace social media, amassing millions of followers and earning recognition from Time magazine and TikTok as a leading voice in fashion.

An outspoken advocate for model rights, she played a pivotal role in passing legislation in New York to protect underage models. In 2018, she launched Coco Rocha Model Camp, a world class program offering hands-on modeling training combined with career and business strategy. Nearly 5,000 students have trained under Coco, including names like Kendall Jenner, Alix Earle, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dixie D’Amelio, Tabria Majors, and more.

Coco has shared her expertise through guest lectures at Harvard, Brown, and SCAD, and co-founded Nomad MGMT, a modeling agency with offices in three countries. Beyond fashion, Coco is the Host, Judge and Executive Producer of Project Runway Canada and an active investor and advisor to early-stage startups in tech, media, and commerce. She lives in New York with her husband and creative partner, James Conran, and their three children.

For more information please contact Shore Fire Media - dkmspr@shorefire.com