A Portrait of Resilience
May is NF Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on the fight against neurofibromatosis and the stories of those who face it with unshakable courage. When Cleveland-based artist Lisa Quine volunteered to create a portrait of Nick Gilbert for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Bow Tie Night at Rocket Arena, she knew it would be personal but did not realize just how deeply the experience would impact her.
Nick Gilbert: The Cavaliers’ Good Luck Charm
Bow Tie Night honors Nick Gilbert, who became known as the Cavaliers’ good luck charm during multiple NBA Draft Lotteries. Nick, the son of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, attended the Draft Lottery alongside his father, proudly sporting his signature bow tie and unshakable confidence. Every time he was there, the Cavaliers won big, including landing the first overall pick in 2011 and 2013.
Nick’s charisma and positivity made him a fan favorite. His presence wasn’t just about luck—it was about resilience. Born with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), he faced significant health challenges but never let them define him. Instead, he used his platform to raise awareness and support research, helping fuel the fight for a cure.
A Personal Mission Turned into Art
Quine, a muralist and illustrator, had worked with the Cavaliers before volunteering to make this portrait of Nick. But this project was personal. Her own son was diagnosed with NF1 at just nine months old. When she heard about Bow Tie Night, she says she, “just wanted to get involved. It’s a rare genetic disorder. So, what are the chances that my son would have it too? I just felt like I needed to contribute in some way.”
What Better Way Than Art?
The effort involved multiple entities within the Family of Companies. The Cavaliers, Gilbert Family Foundation and NF Forward teams worked with Quine to identify the best way to include her and her family. The answer was simple: art. Quine agreed to paint a portrait that would honor Nick’s boldness, positivity and resilience. Quine drew inspiration from one of Nick’s most iconic moments: his fist-raised stance from the 2011 NBA Draft.
“I wanted the piece to be super positive, just like he was,” Quine said. “I loved that boldness, and I tried to make the piece bold and positive. Make it full of energy and life.”
The act of creating the work established a connection for Quine, as well as a catharsis. “In painting it, I kept getting emotional throughout the whole piece, just thinking about my own son and then thinking about the Gilbert family, and Nick, and how they had to deal with a severe case of NF1 throughout his entire life.”
“The whole experience was cathartic for me—pouring my emotions into the painting, thinking about my own son’s diagnosis, and then seeing how Bow Tie Night brought so many people together made something that once felt isolating feel like a shared journey.”
Her painting became a symbol of strength and perseverance, much like Nick himself.
Bow Tie Night: A Celebration of Nick’s Impact
The finished portrait was unveiled to a bow tie bedecked crowd at Rocket Arena on March 2, 2025. For Quine, the night was transformative.
“Seeing Bow Tie Night and being there—it took something that felt so isolating and made it feel like I was part of a community,” she shared. “It was really comforting to know we’re not alone.”
NF can feel isolating because it is a rare genetic disorder, but events like Bow Tie Night remind families that they are part of a larger community—one that is fighting together for awareness, research, and, ultimately, a cure.
The Gilbert Family’s Commitment to NF Research
Nick’s legacy continues through the work of his parents, Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, who have become leading advocates for NF research and awareness.
The Gilbert Family has donated over $100 million to fund NF research, making them one of the largest private funders of NF science in the world.
They founded NF Forward, an organization dedicated to finding a cure.
The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute is set to open in Detroit in 2027, in partnership with Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University. This groundbreaking center will bring top scientists together to push NF research further than ever before.
A Lasting Tribute in Rocket Arena
Quine’s painting now hangs in Gilly’s at Rocket Arena, a space dedicated to celebrating Nick’s life and impact. It serves as a permanent reminder of his fight, joy, and lasting legacy. Gilly’s at Rocket Arena is an offshoot of Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop, which opened in Detroit in 2024. This upscale sports venue was Nick’s vision of a place to bring people together around sports. He was working on it when he passed away in 2023.
For Quine, the experience wasn’t just about creating a portrait. It was about honoring a young man who gave so much to a cause that now touches her own family. It was about finding strength in a community and raising awareness for NF1.
The Fight Against NF1 Continues
Thanks to the Gilbert Family, NF Forward, and artists like Lisa Quine, NF research is progressing, and awareness is growing. The fight isn’t over—but together, we are moving closer to a future where no parent will have to hear the words, “Your child has NF.”
Support NF Research
Want to join the fight against NF1? Learn more about NF Forward, the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute, and how you can support research and awareness efforts. Visit NFForward.org today.
