DKMS is Casting for a Hero at New York Comic Con

International nonprofit DKMS is holding a casting call for heroes at New York Comic Con (NYCC), October 5-8 at the Jacob Javits Center. With nearly 200,000 comic book, television, film, celebrity, cosplay, and anime lovers heading to New York to celebrate their favorite fictional superheroes, DKMS will offer the opportunity for NYCC attendees to become real-life heroes - starting with a simple cheek swab to join the bone marrow registry. DKMS will be casting in booth #2276 during the four-day conference.

The Casting for a Hero campaign captures the excitement of superheroes and comic books as they collide at NY Comic Con. Through an immersive booth experience, attendees will have the chance to audition for the role of a lifetime: to save the life of someone who is suffering from blood cancer. DKMS partnered with Area 23, an FCB Health company, to develop the interactive booth at the event to educate Comic Con attendees about joining the fight against blood cancer.

Men ages 18-30 are the most requested bone marrow/blood stem cell donors due to better long-term survival outcomes for patients with blood cancers or blood disorders. Registration is open to all qualified men and women in good general health between the ages of 18-55.

As New York City's largest pop culture convention, NYCC offers a unique platform for DKMS to create awareness among younger demographics.

"Comic Con attendees understand the true meaning of heroism, and DKMS is offering them the opportunity to take the first step in becoming a real-life hero," said David Tratner, Vice President of Communications and Marketing at DKMS. "Casting for a Hero amplifies the DKMS mission to live in a world with more blood cancer survivors by educating the public on how a swab of the cheek can lead to giving someone the gift of a second chance at life."

Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer or blood disorder in the U.S. For many patients, a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant is the best chance at survival. According to DKMS, 70 percent of patients must rely on an unrelated stranger who is virtually their genetic twin to donate. Unfortunately, less than half of those seeking a transplant will find a match. DKMS hopes to change those odds.

For more information on DKMS, to register or to fund the mission, please visit dkms.org/casting.

About DKMS

DKMS is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating blood cancers like leukemia and other blood-related illnesses inspiring both men and women around the world to register as bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. DKMS is providing patients with a second chance at life, working closely with families from diagnosis to transplant and beyond. The donor journey begins with a swab of the cheek that takes less than 60 seconds and can be the action that leads to a lifesaving transplant. DKMS, originally founded in Germany in 1991 by Dr. Peter Harf, has organizations in Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The U.S. office was started in 2004. Globally, DKMS has registered more than 7.4 million people. To join the fight against blood cancer or for more information, please go to dkms.org.

SOURCE: BUSINESS WIRE. ©2017 Business Wire

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