Last week at 583 Park Avenue’s ballroom in New York City, Solving Kids’ Cancer hosted its second annual Spring Celebration Event, which consisted of a cocktail, a stupendous buffet, and both live and silent auctions— all generously co-sponsored by Credit Suisse and Paul Hastings.  This season, the event raised over $400,000 for the charity.

Solving Kids’ Cancer founders John London and Scott Kennedy, (both have lost children to pediatric cancers) lead the benefit with host Donna Karan who delivered a powerful address charging attendees to continue their support of the cause and children’s cancer research: “I stand here as a mother, a grandmother, a wife, an executive—as a designer… the experiences that [many of] you’ve had are unacceptable,” she stated. “We’ve got to help.”  Co-hosts for the celebration included Debra Ashkenazy, Gabby Karan DeFelice, Lyss Stern, Yvonne Force Villareal and Bonnie Young, along with committee members Alina Cho (avec Estée Lauder big-wig John Dempsey), Carolina Herrera, Nanette Lepore, Alexandra Lind Rose, and the vibrant Amy Sacco. Indisputably, the arrival of Chelsea Clinton and hubby Marc Mezvinsky, caused the biggest stir of the night (although she humbly blended right into the merriment alongside other social fixtures—shying away from the cameras).

Clockwise from top left: Carolina Herrera; Nanette Lepore; Alina Cho and John Dempsey; Donna Karan

For 2011, Solving Kids’ Cancer honored Big Apple Circus originators Paul Binder and Michael Christensen for their dedication to entertaining children with cancer and their families.  Once the comical duo had said their thank-yous, guests enjoyed a poignant performance by the award winning Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

Afterwards, Donna Karan invited actor, author and women’s health advocate Karen Duffy, Sacco, and comedian, actor Seth Herzog, of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, to take the mics and serve as co-auctioneers for the live auction.

With the bidding successfully completed, the coterie was then invited to mix and mingle, while taking pleasure in the tremendous bar and exquisite desserts.

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