CELEBRITIES FLOCK TO ‘ROCK FOR THE CURE’ GALA

Stars and socialites joined forces Thursday for the Nevada Cancer Institute’s sixth annual “Rock for the Cure” fund-raising gala at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

More than $15 million was raised for the research, treatment and education of cancer at the event, which featured performances by Rod Stewart and "Deal or No Deal" host Howie Mandel.

Also in attendance were Paris Hilton, who was accompanied by "Beacher's Madhouse creator Jeff Beacher, illusionist Criss Angel, actor Sylvester Stallone, rocker Tommy Lee, socialite siblings Kimberly Stewart and Sean Stewart, talk-show host Larry King, and Miss USA Rachel Smith and Miss Universe Riyo Mori.

Hilton, who lost a grandmother to breast cancer, and Angel, who lost his father to carcinoma, both got on stage and actively promoted the auction of their respective packages. Hilton auctioned off a night of celebrity treatment with her, which went for $35,000. The winner and a group of six will have dinner with Paris at Company American Bistro, followed by VIP treatment at LAX nightclub at the Luxor.

Angel's two packages — an offer to accompany a lucky bidder and 30 of his/her closest friends for a zero-gravity flight with Las Vegas-based ZERO-G, the only company in the world with FAA approval to provide weightless flights to the general public — went for $120,000 apiece. The winning bidders of the package also earned a guest spot on A&E show, "Criss Angel: Mindfreak."

Other notable auction items included a seven-day excursion on the yacht upon which Hollywood couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes honeymooned, which sold for $500,000; and a 1970 Challenger R/T Convertible from Las Vegas developer Brett Torino's personal car collection, which sold for $140,000.