Real Estate Tycoon Opens Up His Stunning Aspen Home to Houston’s Top Cancer Doctors: A Difference-Making Mountain Retreat

What: M.D. Anderson in Aspen

Where: Home of Barbara and Gerald Hines

PC Moment: The cancer research hospital’s 19th annual trek to the Rockies, as is tradition, resounded with good news on cancer research. Three of the hospital’s top docs — Dr. Marshall Hicks, president ad interim; Dr. Patrick Hwu, cancer medicine division head; and Dr. Jim Ray, head of research for the Neurodegeneration Consortium at the Institute for Applied Cancer Science — provided updates on the battle against cancer at the Making Cancer History seminar held at Aspen Meadows Resort.

That evening the Hineses opened the gates to their garden overlooking the picturesque Roaring Fork River for an evening of socializing, fundraising, and friend-raising. The Hineses welcomed guests while the docs shared a bit of their wisdom. A talented artist, Barbara Hines donated an abstract oil on canvas, “The Rio Grande Trail II” for the silent auction which raised $81,000 overall. The painting alone fetched $17,500, purchased by Sheree and Nelson Frede.

Guests visited beneath a white party tent that was elaborately decorated in South Florida chic with lush hanging ferns, strings of white party lights, and banana palm chandeliers overhead. While the Caribbean beats of a xylophone provided a festive note, guests grazed through buffet offerings of Latin and Cuban inspired cuisine.

Who: Sara and Bill Morgan, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Rick and Claire Cormier Thielke, Mary Ralph Lowe and Charlie Flanders, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Kay and Ned Holmes, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi, Judy Ley Allen, Patty and James Huffines, Marlene and Fred Malek, Nanette Finger, and Estela and David Cockrell.