Lance Bass is adding a meaningful new honor to his résumé. The *NSYNC star will receive the Spotlight Award at the annual Breakthrough T1D Los Angeles Gala on October 10 at the Skirball Cultural Center. The event, hosted by the organization’s Greater Los Angeles chapter, raises funds for research to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes, a lifelong autoimmune disease with no cure.
Bass was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 lockdown and went public with his diagnosis in 2024. Since then, he’s become a vocal advocate for the T1D community, using his platform to raise awareness and help others feel less isolated.“Being recognized by Breakthrough T1D means so much to me because this community has become such an important part of my life,”Bass said. He added that when he first shared his diagnosis, his hope was simply to make someone else feel a little less alone.
The gala will feature dinner, cocktails, dancing, auctions, and the Fund A Cure program, with KTLA 5 Morning News anchor Frank Buckley serving as master of ceremonies. Gala co-chairs Laura Mecoy and Cary Walker, both parents of children with T1D, are helping lead the effort. Breakthrough T1D, formerly known as JDRF, is one of the largest charitable funders of type 1 diabetes research in the world. For those wondering how to get involved, tickets and donation information are available through the organization’s Greater Los Angeles chapter.
Are you team *NSYNC for life, or did you switch to the other guy? Let us know in the comments.
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.