Surviving and Thriving at the Aspen Snowball Gala

What happens when you mix a luxurious hotel, a killer cause, and a snowstorm of glittering glam? You get the COSF Aspen Snowball Gala at the St Regis in Aspen, and oh, what a night it was!

Picture this: the majestic backdrop of Aspen’s snowy peaks, with the St Regis standing tall like a modern-day castle. Cue the princess look!  Thanks to Newnan’s own Lillian Gardens bridal boutique, I repurposed a full-length feather embellished couture gown with a six-foot train into an outfit custom made for my inner snow queen!

As I walked into the grand ballroom, I was greeted by the most dazzling sight — an avalanche of sequins, bow ties, and the unmistakable sparkle of hope. Yes, it was a gala for the books, benefiting children’s oncology, and as a cancer survivor myself, I felt like I was walking a glittering path paved with second chances.

First on the agenda: the red carpet. And by red carpet, I mean a plush path that made me feel like royalty. Photographers captured every twirl and laugh, and I might have even struck a pose or two (OK, maybe ten). After all, surviving cancer calls for a lot more than just celebration — it calls for a bit of showing off!

Emily with Jay Leno

The highlight of the evening? The keynote speakers who were anything but ordinary. Jay Leno hosted the evening and had the audience roaring with laughter while bidding on auction items that cost more than most cars in his impressive collection. Health and wellness guru and fellow cancer survivor Brooke Burke dazzled the crowd with her special brand of beauty and energy. She even signed a cowboy hat for me that will be auctioned for a local Newnan charity (stay tuned for a chance to win your own little slice of the glamour for good!)

As the night drew to a close, the auction winners were announced. I didn’t win the $150,000 Anthony James light sculpture that would have been the perfect conversation piece at Underground Runway, but the joy of knowing that the proceeds were going towards children’s oncology research was the real prize.

The sense of community, the shared stories, and the collective commitment to fighting cancer made the Aspen Snowball Gala a night to remember. Not to mention the whopping sum of $3.5 million dollars raised by the COSF Foundation? which will go towards providing less toxic treatments and therapies for children battling cancer.

So, here’s to the warriors, the survivors, and everyone who believes in the power of hope. The Aspen Snowball Gala wasn’t just an event — it was a celebration of life, laughter, and the indomitable human spirit. Until next year, stay fabulous and keep sparkling!