Aspen scene lures philanthropic set

The 15th annual Making Cancer History® Seminar at the Paepcke Auditorium at the Aspen Meadows Resort attracted 250 guests who learned about the Moon Shots Program through presentations by Ronald DePinho, M.D., president; Anil Sood, M.D., professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine and Cancer Biology; Sam Hanash, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Clinical Cancer Prevention-Research; Timothy Thompson, Ph.D., professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology; and James Allison, Ph.D., chair of Immunology. Lynda Chin, M.D., professor and chair of Genomic Medicine, joined the presenting doctors onstage during a 45-minute question-and-answer session.

Approximately 100 guests mingled at Casa Tua on South Galena Street in Aspen that evening for a shopping party featuring fashions from The Gallerie Aspen. The party spilled out onto the balconies of the restaurant’s upstairs club room as models strolled throughout wearing pieces from designer Sarah Gercke’s fall collection. She donated a portion of sales generated to the institution. MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors member Peggy Sewell of Dallas welcomed the group and introduced DePinho, who recognized fellow seminar presenters. The event was the brainchild of Samantha Pace and Gloria Holmsten of Fort Worth, who led a host committee of more than 30 MD Anderson supporters.

The following evening, 250 friends and supporters gathered at Barbara and Gerry Hines’ Aspen home. Guests mingled by the Roaring Fork river and in a large white tent decorated in a North African theme. Barbara Hines offered her oil on canvas “In Your Name I Shall Lift My Hands,” a 54-by-42-inch impressionistic interpretation of the Western Wall, in a silent auction. MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors member Denise Monteleone made the winning bid in support of kidney cancer research at the institution.