The Creative Coalition’s #RightToBearArts gala was a night of education, advocacy and celebration of something that connects and impacts us all in one way or another – art. Guests included a long list of Hollywood actors, Members of Congress, and artists who have been diagnosed with brain cancer that are living their “life on play” with the aid of Optune, a wearable, portable, FDA-approved device treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

The gala did not lack an ounce in artistic expression and inclusivity. The night began with a rocking guitar solo from Optune patient ambassador, Osmond Nicholas and his performance was followed by a fun fashion show with all of the Optune patient ambassadors and celebrity ambassadors walking, strutting and posing down the runway in custom clothing. The Creative Coalition also highlighted it’s new public service campaign, #PowerToEmpower and Tim Daly, Creative Coalition President and Actor, Madame Secretary spoke to guests on how art stimulates imagination, triggers creativity, spurs productivity, and enriches lives and communities. “Art is like air,” Daly said. “We are not often conscious of the fact that it surrounds us, but we breathe it all the time and it sustains us.”

Prior to the Gala, celebrity ambassadors and Optune patient ambassadors met with leaders on Capitol Hill and the Administration to advocate for continued federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and to protect the arts as a basic human need. They met with both Republican and Democrat offices and said their meetings were positive and their message and stories were received with support from Congress.

This post is written by Brookley Valencia.