The biggest names in private equity and leveraged finance came together to fight melanoma.

On May 24, a high-powered guest list, including Michael Milken, attended the Melanoma Research Alliance’s annual fundraiser that rounded up $1.7 million.

Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black told the several hundred people having drinks under the stars at Rockefeller Center that he hoped the Melanoma Alliance would soon not be needed.

“Our goal is to be out of business in five years,” he said.

The Melanoma Research Alliance says it is the largest private funder of melanoma research.

Black’s wife, Debra, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2007, prompting the billionaire to start the alliance, he said.

Henry Kravis and Carl Icahn are among the alliance’s longtime backers.