Earth Wind & Fire definitely made the attendees at “Drive-In to Erase MS Gala” at the Rose Bowl this past Friday night, forget that COVID even happened. And Nancy Davis just doesn’t give up.
The combination proved a winning night, which raised $1.4 millions dollars help find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
Davis herself was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1991 at the age of 31. She started her foundation in 1993 and has used her platform for good ever since to raise awareness and funds. She is the intrepid daughter of the late Marvin Davis and the much admired, classiest woman in Hollywood Barbara Davis.
Will she ever stop? Nancy told us, “We got two more drugs this year, we have twenty-two now, all with FDA approval. We have such generous supporters that we were able to keep our research going, it’s kind of a miracle. But I’m not finishing until we find a cure, and we are going to find a cure, there is no doubt about it.”
Lance Bass kicked off the night followed by Nancy’s lovely daughters Isabella and Mariella Rickel. (Their dad and Nancy’s husband is respected entrepreneur Kenneth Rickel.) The girls gave their beloved Mom a heartwarming introduction.
Nancy then spoke of her history with MS and as she wrapped up, she thanked the guests and noted, “unfortunately, we can’t have everybody rush onto the stage like we usually do because of the CDC rules. But by next year, we’ll all be back!”
Stacy Bendet’s Alice + Olivia fashion show followed her, then the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” stars Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, Kathy Hilton and Sutton Stracke started the auction. When Earth, Wind & Fire — playing their first gig since the pandemic — played “Boogie Wonderland,” the grateful crowd started to dance and didn’t stop.
The band followed with “Sing a Song,” “September,” “Lets Groove” “Shining Star,” and the event’s annual closing number, “Lean On Me,” where the lovely Siedah Garret, David Osmond, Greg Phillinganes and Nancy’s family, joined. As Nancy says, “I am so excited that we were able to have the breakout post COVID event where everybody got together and celebrated and felt so healthy and good, got out of their sweatsuits and celebrated finding a cure for MS!”
