Nancy Davis has been hosting the star-studded Race To Erase MS Gala for 31 years.
The splashy event has seen Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Paris Hilton, Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson attend with musical acts like Elton John and Stevie Wonder.
And Los Angeles native Davis has helped stars like Selma Blair and Jamie-Lynn Sigler open up about their MS battles.
Here Nancy talks to DailyMail.com about how proud she is to be hosting the 31st gala on May 10 in Century City, California with Natasha Bedingfield and A Great Big World performing.
The Hollywood icon also said she is a ‘proud’ grandma to the new child her son Brandon Davis shares with his wife, Pretty Little Liars actress Ashely Benson.
Nancy Davis has been hosting the star-studded Race To Erase MS Gala for 31 years and her next one is on Friday; seen with Jamie-Lynn Sigler in 2017.
Davis and Selma Blair in 2019; Nancy told DailyMail.com that the actress inspires her
Blair, Davis, Robin Roberts, and Sarah Michelle Gellar in 2019
She is thrilled her son Brandon – the grandson of the late oil mogul Marvin H. Davis – has a child with Ashley.
The baby was born in February.
‘I love being a grandma to Brandon and Ashley’s beautiful little baby and they are the most happy and excited parents. I’m so lucky to be the grandma of their beautiful child,’ she said.
A lot of celebrities have thanked her over the years for her support and she appreciates it.
‘Selma Blair and Jamie-Lynn Sigler are two that come to mind that were diagnosed with MS and have attended our events,’ she said. ‘It’s so inspiring to see how far they’ve come in their individual journeys.’
Nancy agrees that Blair has broken everyone’s heart with her health journey.
‘I adore Selma Blair and really admire everything that she has done,’ Nancy told DailyMail.com.
‘We honored her the first year she was diagnosed with MS and it’s inspiring to see how far she’s come in her journey and what she means to those who have recently been diagnosed with MS.’
Seen here with her son Brandon Davis, left, who is married to Ashley Benson and recently welcomed a child, and with her husband Ken Rickel, right, in 2022
Brandon is wed to Ashley Benson, seen here on April 13, 2024 in Miami Beach
(L-R) Corey Gamble, Kris Jenner, Nancy Davis, Kathy Hilton, and Rick Hilton in 2019
And she is grateful her friends like Paris and Nicky Hilton often attend the event.
‘To me, everyone that supports us are the true heroes and I’m so grateful for their endless kindness and generosity in supporting Race to Erase MS,’ said Nancy.
‘I am so thankful that we have our Center Without Walls program comprised of MS research scientists and investigators who have bolstered their individual efforts into collective action that has led to exciting discoveries in the search for a cure.
‘It’s really a miracle that we have gone from zero to now 24 FDA-approved drugs to help stop the progression of MS with more exciting therapies coming through the pipeline.’
And she explained her connection to pals Nicky and Paris Hilton.
From left, Kathy Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Paris Hilton, Brandon and Nancy
Nancy center with Paris and Kathy in 2017 in Beverly Hills
Paris and Nancy during Peace and Love Jewelry by Nancy Davis – Oscar Jewelry Preview
Nancy with Kris in 2017 in Beverly Hills
‘Kathy and Rick Hilton have been very good friends since I moved to Los Angeles. Our kids are now all having babies at the same time and it’s so wonderful to see Paris be a mother to two beautiful children,’ she shared.
Davis knew that Race To Erase MS had become a huge event when she was in Aspen.
‘From the very first year when we did our event in Aspen, so many wonderful Hollywood stars came to support us and every year since then, they have come again and again to support us. Some have even come every year!’ she noted.
She also has two daughters that are a great support to her with Race To Erase MS.
‘My daughters have grown up attending the Race to Erase MS Gala since they were two years old,’ she noted.
‘They always help me with the planning of the event and remain excited and inspired by the success we’ve had. They truly love getting involved and we are very excited for this year’s event to be able to celebrate together.’
Davis with her daughter Mariella Davis and singer Avril Lavigne in 2010
When asked how she gets so many great stars to come every year, she offered: ‘We have a wonderful family in the Hollywood community that love to come and support us. We love to see our community grow every year at our event.’
And she gets amazing musical acts, like Elton John, Steve Wonder and Chicago.
‘I don’t think I could name a favorite! Each year, we have a different theme with different entertainers who are all so amazing!’ she raved.
‘We have had such incredible performers over the years from Elton John to Earth, Wind & Fire and so much more with Flo Rida performing for our 30th Anniversary Gala just this past year.
‘We couldn’t be more excited to have Natasha Bedingfield and A Great Big World perform at this year’s Gala.’
Seen center with couple Evan Ross and Ashlee Simpson in 2023
(L-R) Arthur Saint Bleick, honoree Selma, Davis, Frances Fisher, and Mariella Davis in 2019
When asked what she is looking forward to at this year’s gala which takes place on Friday, she said: ‘I’m looking forward to having a really memorable and fun evening to raise funds to continue our important research at the Center Without Walls program so that we can continue to do the work and get one step closer to crossing the finish line of the race to erase MS.
‘We are so thrilled to have Caroline Rhea as this year’s host, host a L’AGENCE fashion show and see Natasha Bedingfield and A Great Big World perform.’
And she named her dream guests: ‘I would absolutely love for Taylor Swift and George Clooney to come!’
The Race to Erase MS was founded by Nancy Davis in 1993 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After her diagnosis, she was determined to devote her time and resources to finding a cure.
Nancy’s hope, courage and strength continue to inspire her to maintain a vibrant quality of life despite this chronic disease, but most of all, she remains positive, continues to live her life to the fullest and is tireless in her efforts to finding the cure for MS.
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