HEART TO HEART
It was a star studded affair as Nancy Davis hosted one of the most enjoyable fundraising events of the year-the annual Race to Erase MS. Celebs, A-listers and medical experts sailed down the “tangerine” carpet for an unforgettable evening of music and merriment, all to benefit Nancy’s Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis and her “Center Without Walls” program.
Nancy looked like a dream in a beaded taffeta gown, wearing her signature orange-a color she describes as “happy” and “optimistic.” Pal and longtime supporter Tom Arnold joined her color choice, with an eye-catching silk tie, while Paris Hilton sparkled in a dramatic silver metallic number paired with plenty of bling.
They joined locals like Linda Thompson and Brooke Burke, kicking things off at the famed silent auction. There was a $17,000 pair of diamond hoops, as well as a private Hawaiian getaway and even a ride on the Goodyear blimp.
In the ballroom, the tables were done up in orange with sweet arrangements of gerber daisies. As guests took their seats they got to relive moments from years past on widescreen monitors.
In keeping with tradition, the program started with a glitzy Tommy Hilfiger fashion show. Buffed out guys and leggy girls graced the catwalk in everything from chic geometric prints to splashy beachwear from the designer’s latest collection.
As the show began, we tucked into a good old fashion comfort food feast of mini grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken pot pie and steak.
One of the highlights of the event was the live auction, which featured Brooke, Tom and Nancy O’Dell. Red hot items up for grabs included a six-day cruise on a private yacht, tickets to the American Idol finale and an adorable Maltese puppy. But the biggest item on the block was a racy Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4, which fetched a cool $210,000.
The evening’s entertainment was equally exciting, beginning with the legendary girl group Heart. After 20 years the gals showed they still got what it takes, belting out hit songs like “Barracuda,” “Alone” and of course, “Crazy On You.”
But the program was just getting started. Songbird Avril Lavigne, who recently joined the Board of Directors for Race to Erase, took the stage showing off her spunky sense of street style. Her five-song set included “Complicated,” “Happy Ending” and “I’m With You.”
After some touching tributes, Nancy thanked her family and loyal friends. “Everyone of you who has given so generously is part of an intricate network of amazing individuals who are helping us expedite dramatic breakthroughs in MS research,” she said. “We are racing closer to the finish line and making our dream of finding a cure a reality.”
As always, the evening wrapped up with everyone on stage for a performance of “Lean On Me.”
After 17 years, one thing is sure-Nancy Davis has a lot of friends to lean on. Her pals helped raise a whopping $2 million to crush MS for good.
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