Design and style expert Oscar De las salas and Founder/CEO of Inspired Media 360, news personality Carey Pena are teaming up with philanthropists Lynn and Foster Friess to co-chair St. Jude Presents: A Night in Monte Carlo on Saturday, April 28, at Scottsdale Hangar One. Proceeds from the event will support the pioneering research and lifesaving treatment of kids who are battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The evening program will include dinner, live and silent auctions and a patient family speaker. Additionally, Letitia Frye will be honored for more than a decade of service as a St. Judevolunteer, emcee and auctioneer at events across the country.

“Letitia is an exceptional auctioneer and great friend and supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who truly believes in our mission: Finding cures. Saving children®,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. “Her passion for helping people understand the impact St. Jude has on children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases in communities everywhere helps ensure that help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”

Frye has shared the stage with many St. Jude celebrity supporters including musician Alice Cooper, rocker legend Robby Krieger of The Doors and singer-songwriter John Rich. Her signature style called “auction-tainment” has inspired donor giving at a variety of small and large fundraising events, including dinners, galas and golf tournaments. In fact, Frye was the first auctioneer to break $1 million when soliciting “Gifts that Give” or donations that are representative of the approximate cost of services and supplies used during a child’s treatment plan. 

One of Frye’s inspirations is a St. Jude patient family from Scottsdale whose son Nicky lost his battle with cancer at age 13 in 2005. Frye met Nicky’s mom Lisa Mailliard at a St. Jude luncheon she co-founded with Gina Forster to carry on her son’s legacy.  

“This has always been more than a job for me, and that passion I have for St. Jude kids, like Nicky, is what helps bring the mission to life for people who may never have the chance to visit the hospital or meet a patient family,” said Frye. “I started auctioneering during one of the most difficult times of my life and have never looked back because I have always felt committed to finding ways to help others.”