Through the years the Center has led the development of immunotherapy, via bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, to help patients win the battle against leukemia and other blood cancers. These advancements greatly enhanced researchers' understanding of the body's ability to use antibodies, T cells and other immune-system components to fight disease. As a result of their successes, Center scientists believe they are uniquely poised to apply knowledge of the immune system to combat common cancers such as breast, prostate, christian louboutin discount colon, kidney, ovarian and skin cancer.

Recent discoveries in the Center's Clinical Research Division herald a new era in cancer treatment. An example is the work of Cassian Yee, M.D., who found that infusing patients with their own "helper" T cells could put advanced melanoma into remission. Yee and other Center researchers are now expanding clinical trials that use T cell therapy to treat advanced tumors. louboutin shoes

"We are fortunate that our guests know the power of private support in the fight against cancer," Yee said. "Proceeds from tonight's Gala challenge and auction will help us advance all we've done in the lab - moving it into the clinic to help patients," he said.

Gala patrons also bid on exclusive auction packages including a trip to the Big Apple for the Tony Awards, $11,000.; a trip to French Polynesia to view a total solar eclipse, $14,000.; and an exclusive private tasting and dinner for 12 at Long Shadows and Corliss wineries in Walla Walla, $22,000. christian louboutin sale

The grand finale was the "Diamond Dash" - a raffle for a 30 second shopping spree at Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler's store in downtown Seattle. Sue Hansen held the winning ticket and, strapping on a new pair of Nike Flex running shoes donated for the occasion, ran for a pair of diamond-and-peridot drop earrings. "Diamond Dash" raffle ticket sales raised $30,600. christian louboutin

Presented by the Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild and the Hutch Holiday Gala Board of Directors, the Hutch Holiday Gala featured live and silent auctions, an elegant dinner and entertainment with 700 in attendance. Through the years the Gala has raised more than $62 million in support of key research initiatives and patient programs at the Hutchinson Center.

"We were, like, this shoe?" Rose went on. "Why not this lizard-trimmed peep-toe? Or even this, just sitting out"--she held up a patent-leather spike heel with leopard trim and a satin bow--"the classic Louboutin, the collector's shoe?" The thief also ignored a wall of single-shoe prototypes, which the designer had been working on for the Spring/Summer 2007 collection. "That would have been really dangerous for us," Rose said, relieved that the evidence pointed away from footwear-industry espionage. christian louboutin sale

Still, the prevailing hypothesis is that the bandit was some sort of connoisseur. For one thing, Rose said, "he took a lot of archive stuff, weirdly." Moreover, he took six pairs of a model called Fred, a brown leather lace-up jazz shoe. "People who love Fred are tastemakers, stylists, Europeans," she said. "Maybe it was a disgruntled fashion person with a crack habit--no, crystal meth! Maybe he was out at the Chelsea clubs and said, 'Let's go get some shoes,' and wore them to the after-party."

Another shoe that particularly captured the robber's fancy was a diagonal-striped leather wedge. christian louboutin discount A "mid-range" model, costing six hundred and ninety-five dollars, it's one of Rose's favorites and requires, she says, a progressive mind-set. As her assistant put it, "You have to get the shoe, you have to get the stripes." It comes in red or white patent leather with black stripes, and is called Sing Sing.

Lauren Collins on a discriminating thief at a midtown showroom. christian louboutin

Take the case of Frédéric Malle: a former fragrance consultant, he noticed most star perfumers were frustrated, their creativity stifled by the high-speed business of scent (up to 400 fragrances are launched each year). In response, he created a club with a clever twist borrowed from the publishing industry: he became an editeur, or publisher, of perfumes composed by a handful of top noses. "It was my friend [shoe designer] Christian Louboutin who gave me hope," says Malle. "He does what he loves and he's successful." Malle gave his noses carte blanche. christian louboutin shoes

"People know when they smell Rose Barbare, Cuir Beluga or Angélique Noire that these are exceptional," says Sylvaine Delacourte, the house's fragrance creation director. "Women want something that is rare, and I think they are tired of fragrances that do not have a distinct signature." Adds MaIIe: "When it comes to fragrance, pleasing everyone really means pleasing no one." And, as women of style know, it's always best to please yourself.