The 31st annual ‘Race to Erase MS’ hosted by its’ indefatigable founder Nancy Davis, took place recently at the Fairmont Century Plaza. Nancy was diagnosed at the age of 33 with MS 33 years ago. Davis’s activism for the cause has brought together the top researchers from across the country. The Davis family is known for its charitable work and activism. The classiest lady in town is Nancy’s Mom, the matriarch Barbara Davis who came to the event and was feted by all. Barbara’s event is her esteemed ‘Carousel Ball’ for her Children’s Diabetes Foundation which she founded in 1977. This night started with their popular silent auction which had the celebs and VIP crowd putting in their bids. There was a live auction later.
Nancy was ever the gracious host and gorgeously donned in a L’AGENCE sequined dress and coat and she was adorned with jewelry from her ‘Peace & Love’ collection. She introduced the night by quipping, “Welcome to the 31st annual ‘Race to Erase MS’ not to be confused with the Race to Erase PMS. One is definitely curable thanks to all of you and the other will never be.” She then went on to say that, “Tonight we are here to celebrate the fact that we are one giant leap forward in reaching our ultimate goal of crossing the finish line and finding a cure for MS. Thank you to every hero in this room.” Guests were treated to a fashion show from L’AGENCE which was also the fashion sponsor. Her lovely twin daughters Mariella and Isabella were on stage with her. Their dad, the respected entrepreneur Kenneth Rickel, was proudly looking on from his seat, along with their brother, Brandon Davis.
Chad King of the duo singing/songwriter group ‘One Big World’ and who is affected by MS sang ‘This Is The New Year’ from their 2014 album ‘Is There Anybody Out There.’ The other half of the group Ian Axel then sang their hit ‘Say Something.’ Casey Affleck later introduced Natasha Bedingfield who beautifully performed her hits ‘Love Like This’ ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ ‘These Words’ and ‘Unwritten.’
The night ended as in years past with Nancy and family leading the crowd in a upbeat rendition of ‘Lean On Me.’
Davis founded ‘Race to Erase MS’ in 1993 which has since raised more than $50 million for MS research and conducted the pilot studies for 18 of the 24 drugs that are now on the market for a disease that once had none. ‘Race to Erase MS’ fundraises for its Center Without Walls research program through its annual gala. This year’s event raised $1.5 million.
Celebrities that were there included Caroline Rhea, Kathy and Rick Hilton, Amanda Kloots, Diane Warren, Montana Tucker, Carmen Electra, David Arquette, Emma Slater, Katie Cassidy, Tia Carrere, Sutton Stracke, Shaun Robinson and many more.
The event raised over $1.5 million to benefit the Race to Erase MS and its Center Without Walls program, a collaboration of top MS research centers working together as a team on ground-breaking research with the goal of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for MS.
Her quest to find a cure for MS will never stop. Nancy Davis is a modern day Don Quixote!
