DKMS star-studded London Gala 2024
Hosted by James Corden, the DKMS London Gala raised £1.4 million to help us overcome blood cancer.
On the evening of 23 May, over 500 guests gathered at the stunning Natural History Museum in London for the annual DKMS London Gala, a special event raising funds to support our work. The gala, a beacon of hope and celebration, was attended by guests from many fields, including film and music.
Star-studded attendance
The charismatic James Corden hosted the gala, which kicked off with a heartfelt welcome by Katharina Harf, the Global Chair of DKMS. Notable attendees included Lady Kitty Spencer, Bob Geldof, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Trudie Styler, Sheherazade Goldsmith, Jeanne Marine, Lena Gercke, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, and Sylvie Meis, who all came out in support of our mission.
The highlight of the night was the heartwarming moment when 7-year-old Demi met her stem cell donor, Robert from Lincoln. This meeting, their first face-to-face encounter which saw Demi travelling with her family from Louisiana to attend the gala, comes seven years after Robert's stem cell donation gave Demi a second chance at life. "The feeling afterward is so rewarding, and knowing you've saved a life is one of the best feelings," shared an emotional Robert. Demi's mom also shared, "We finally get to meet her donor, which is truly amazing. "
An ongoing commitment
After the event, Katharina Harf, Global Chair of DKMS shared "I am grateful for the support from our guests. The funds raised will bring us closer to our dream of giving all patients suffering from blood cancer and blood diseases around the world a second chance at life. We will continue our mission by registering new stem cell donors, improving therapies through research, and providing treatment for those who cannot afford it."
Sue Nabi, CEO of Coty, highlighted the partnership between Coty and DKMS, which has spanned more than three decades. "We are proud of Coty’s partnership with DKMS, which reflects our joint dedication to catalyzing positive transformations through scientific advancements and empowering communities worldwide."
A musical finale
The evening concluded on a high note with a world-class performance by award-winning singer and songwriter LP.
We are thankful to everyone who generously donated, attended, and helped make the DKMS London Gala a success. If you feel inspired by our mission, we invite you to get involved. Your support can make a life-changing difference for people living with blood cancer and blood disorders.
