Jay Leno Hosted and Christie Brinkley Is Honored At The Third Annual Aspen Snow Ball

COSF Founder Thomas Pierce welcoming guest to the 3rd Annual Aspen Snow Ball | Photo Credit: Riccardo S. Savi

LA and Aspen turned out to the sold-out dinner that raised $3.5M for film producer Thomas Pierce’s Children’s Oncology Support Fund

The Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF) returned to the snowy town of Aspen, Colorado over the weekend to raise money for children with cancer. The foundation started by Thomas Pierce has raised over $8 million for cancer research and it feels like they’re just getting started though they are three years in. For starters, this was the first year that activities spanned over the course of a week, and it’s being called “Aspen Snow Ball Week,” bringing together donors, sponsors, singers, actors, a community of people from LA, Aspen residents, and media.

Cancer is personal to Piece. When a close friend of his died, he wanted to do something about making an impact in the area of cancer research. “After losing my friend Pamela Johnston, I began learning more about treatment centers and hospitals to find white spaces,” Pierce tells SEELE. “I discovered a significant lack of programs supporting holistic therapies like art therapy, music therapy, and other initiatives that enhance quality of life during treatment. That realization inspired me to start COSF as a source of hope and tangible support for families facing this challenging journey. My goal is to ensure no family feels alone and to provide access to therapies and resources that foster healing and resilience,” he says.

Robin Thicke performed at the kick-off party on Thursday, Actor Nicholas Alexander Chavez with Thomas Pierce, Actress Jackie Chavez, and Actor Hunter Doohan | Photo Credit: Riccardo S. Savi

Held at the St. Regis in Aspen on snowy Saturday night, guests checked in to get their table number, and headed downstairs to enter the ball through a very pink setup themed “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.” Jackie Cruz from Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, actress Julieth Restrepo, Nicholas Chavez from Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Baywatch actress and cancer survivor Brooke Burke, singer Robin Thicke, supermodel Christie Brinkley, and comedian Jay Leno were some of the biggest names attending.

Other notable names in attendance included Nolan Funk, Hunter Doohan, Thomas Dekker, James Packer, Michael Orcutt, Dr. Douglas Olson, Julian Polak, Renèe Blythewood, Carly Weber, Scott Weber, Peter Brandt Jr., Monica Elias, Lacey Nicole, and Ashely Wyndham. After posing for photos at the red carpet, guests walked through the silent auction filled with items whose proceeds are going towards pediatric cancer research. Guests also sipped on cocktails like GG Mirvis’ Desolas Mezcal, Piña Mezcalita.

Having Hollywood’s support is important to the success of the ball, says Pierce. “Their presence helps amplify our message and brings a unique platform and visibility, which helps us engage more people and inspire greater generosity. It’s not just about their star power—it’s about how they use it to uplift our cause and encourage others to get involved. Their support creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the event itself.”

Thomas Pierce; Jay Leno, the night’s host; and COSF Board Member Keni Silva | Photo Credit: Riccardo S. Savi

COSF board member, author of “Divorce As An Opportunity,” and philanthropist, Keni Silva also spoke. Her daughter Alexis Silva went through the challenging journey of cancer, and was given the grim diagnosis of having stage two cancer with a ninety-percent probability. Going through that process led Alexis to write a song “It’s Not Over Yet,” and she sang her song “Back Seat Driver” at the ball kickoff event on Thursday. 

“I’m very proud to be on the board of COSF, not just as a parent who went through the pain of fear, but because I know exactly where the money we raise goes to, it goes to the children and the hospitals who establish the relationship with the foundation,” Keni Silva told SEELE. “We look into the kid’s eyes who have cancer and we see they have fear, and we sometimes don’t know what to say. We hug them and the funded research makes a difference. I’m very proud of what we do. Once you go through the experience of a child with cancer, you realize how precious life is and that nothing should be taken for granted.”

Jay Leno opened the ball with a comical monologue | Photo Credit: Riccardo S. Savi

As the dinner started Jay Leno, the former NBC The Tonight Show host brought laughter to the room with his monologue, then Pierce welcomed everyone and thanked COSF supporters from LA that still came, though many lost their homes to the recent LA fires. Rollie Jordan, a former COSF board member who passed away last year’s son Rhett Joran received the Community Leadership Award for her posthumously. Dr. Bob Casey, Director of the Cancer and Blood Disorders Wellness Program at the Children’s Hospital Colorado- where the proceeds from the gala goes to- said “COSF has been like almost winning the lottery for us” in an opening video during the dinner.

The cancer center at the hospital will make the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Family Wellness Program sustainable. The COSF Fund for Advancement in Wellness helps increase the number of licensed social workers providing psychosocial support and licensed art and music therapists. 

Brooke Burke presenting supermodel Christie Brinkley with the Philanthropic Award | Photo Credit: Riccardo S. Savi

Then Christie took to the stage, receiving her award from Brooke Burke. In the past, COSF has honored women from actress Marcia Gay Harden and Rachel Zoe. “Christie embodies the values at the heart of COSF—compassion and a commitment to making a difference. Honoring her this year recognizes not only her remarkable contributions but also the example she sets for using one’s platform to create meaningful change,” said Pierce to SEELE.

Handbag designer Mehra Blum | Photo Credit: Riccardo S. Savi

The auction was led by auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla. LA based artist Anthony James’ sculpture started a bid at $50k and sold for $160k.His work is sold all over the world and have been a part of amfAR Gala dinners. Sustainable luxury handbag designer Mehera Blum’s bag sold for over $4k. A lively auction, with balloon pops, the room was filled with excitement as items were sold. Singer Parson James took to the stage in a surprise performance to sing “We Stole The Show,” and Swedish singer Zara Larsson, as well as Chloe Jane also performed, getting everyone to their feet and in front of the stage. Guests then moved to ZigZag, a new hot spot restaurant in Aspen for the after party.

Aspen Snow Ball Week

The ball was preceded by a week of events. On Thursday, there was an educational panel while in the evening there was the kick-off benefit concert, held at the Aspen Art Museum where guests nibbled on canapes and sipped cocktails, while listening to Alexis Silva, Chloe Jane, Luke K, and Robin Thicke who mesmerized the crowd with his hits from Lost Without U, Magic Touch, and Blurred Lines. Friday afternoon the Saddle Up and Shop event, where curated brands in support of COSF gave a 25% that went towards the mission of pediatric cancer research. That evening, Velocity Black hosted the benefactor dinner at the Aspen St. Regis. 

One of the sponsors, Velocity Black that hosted the Benefactor dinner on Friday night, is a luxury digital lifestyle concierge service app that harnesses the power of human experts and technology to offer world class experiences for members. In Aspen they curate experiences for their members from a private jet charter, private wine tasting at The Little Nell (a favorite of the Kardashians), a private hat making experience at Kemo Sabe, and access to hard to get reservations at places like the Snow Lodge, Prospect Aspen, and French Alpine Bistro.

Kemo Sabe is a favorite of actors from Kevin Costner to Jennifer Lopez, to singers like Lainey Wilson to Shania Twain. They tend to have a line outside of their Aspen store, but they take care of visitors, getting their exact hat measurement and guiding them to personalize and brand their hat.  

The week was made possible with ClinConnect, Aspen Valley Ranch, Caymus Wines, Patron El Alto, Horse Soldier Bourbon, Streeter Flynn Gin, Aspen Vodka, Entourage Rosè. And if all that weren’t enough, COSF kept the weekend going with their Sunday Super Bowl Party at ZigZag.