Trending on Billboard
Lance Bass, *NSYNC star and type 1 diabetes (T1D) advocate, is set to receive the Spotlight Award at the annual Breakthrough T1D Los Angeles Gala on Oct. 10 at the Skirball Cultural Center.
The gala will raise critical funds to support research aimed at curing, preventing and treating T1D, a lifelong autoimmune disease that requires careful monitoring and insulin injections or infusions. Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, is one of the largest charitable funders of T1D research. Its Greater Los Angeles chapter is hosting the Oct. 10 Cures on the Horizon Gala.
“Being recognized by Breakthrough T1D means so much to me because this community has become such an important part of my life,” Bass said in a statement. “When I first started sharing my diagnosis publicly, my hope was simply to make someone else feel a little less alone and to help people better understand that type 1 diabetes can affect anyone at any age. I’m incredibly honored to receive the Spotlight Award and proud to support the work Breakthrough T1D is doing to make life better for everyone living with T1D—and ultimately, to find a cure.”
Bass received his diabetes diagnosis during the COVID-19 lockdown and went public with it in 2024. He told People that the news forced him to rethink his diet, exercise and mindfulness routines. Bass, now 47, has become an outspoken advocate for the T1D community.
Frank Buckley, anchor of KTLA 5 Morning News in Los Angeles and father of an adult child living with T1D, will serve as master of ceremonies for the gala. Longtime supporters and T1D parents Laura Mecoy and Cary Walker will serve as gala co-chairs.
This year’s event will feature dinner, hosted cocktails, dancing, silent and live auctions, and Breakthrough T1D’s signature Fund A Cure program, where 100% of tax-deductible contributions directly support the organization’s research priorities.
*NSYNC had six top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including the No. 1 smash “It’s Gonna Be Me.” The boy band had two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 – No Strings Attached and Celebrity. The group amassed eight Grammy nominations, including a record of the year nod for “Bye Bye Bye” and nods for collabs with Alabama and Gloria Estefan.
