Celebrity Ambassadors and Advocates

“I always thought of my diagnosis with T1D as a gift, not a curse. Managing T1D as a child gave me the tools I needed to succeed at anything and everything I’ve put my mind to. I wouldn’t be the person or actor I am today without those lessons in personal responsibility. T1D is and was my not-so-secret weapon.”

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Austin Basis always knew he wanted to be in the limelight. Captivated by movies, theater, and television as a kid, he pursued a Master of Fine Arts from The Actors Studio Drama School in NYC. He became a lifetime member after he graduated. Austin has been featured in several primetime television series and is most known for his starring roles in The CW’s award-winning series, “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Life Unexpected.” He has also been featured in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” the award-nominated series, “Casual,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “Homeland,” and HBO’s “Winning Time.” He can now be seen on the fifth and final season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

Adding to his impressive resume, Austin co-authored a children’s book titled, “Zoo’s On First,” and the comic book series, “The KINETIX.” He also launched a podcast titled “ActorSpeak.”

Austin was diagnosed with T1D when he was eight years old and has worked hard to manage the disease throughout his career. Living with T1D from an early age inspired him to become a strong advocate. As an ambassador for JDRF, he demonstrates an unwavering commitment to T1D education, advocacy, and fundraising for research to find a cure.

“With almost four decades under my belt, I have seen with my own eyes and blood sugar levels how much T1D technologies have helped me manage my health. From the advent of glucometers, to switching to an insulin pump to using a continuous glucose monitor, the benefits of diabetes research have made my quality of life exponentially better.”

Actress Brec Bassinger is best known for her starring role on the DC Universe and The CW series, “Stargirl.” Born and raised in Saginaw, TX, she began her career in entertainment after winning the world title in the Our Little Miss pageant at the age of 10. After three years of acting classes, she ventured to Hollywood, where she quickly landed a starring role in “The Haunted Hathaways.” Since then, she has appeared in Nickelodeon’s TV series “Bella and the Bulldogs,” the Nickelodeon television film “Liar, Liar, Vampire,” starred in the film “47 Meters Down,” and had recurring roles in “School of Rock” and “The Goldbergs.”

Brec was diagnosed with T1D when she was eight years old. More recently, she was also diagnosed with celiac disease. When not in front of the camera filming, she lends her voice and dedicates her time to T1D advocacy. From the Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress to Walks, galas, and media interviews, Brec uses every platform to raise awareness and inspire the T1D community.

“Type 1 diabetes has had a significant impact on my family. However, thanks to research, we found peace and hope to one day cure T1D.”

Orlando Brown, Jr., is one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the National Football League (NFL). He discovered his passion for the game at an early age, following in the footsteps of his late father, NFL offensive tackle Orlando “Zeus” Brown, Sr. With natural talent and a relentless work ethic, Orlando Jr. has forged his own path in football. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma before being selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Ravens, earning two Pro Bowl selections. In 2021, Orlando joined the Kansas City Chiefs, earning two more Pro Bowl selections. He played a pivotal role in helping the team win Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he led the offensive line in giving up zero sacks, before joining the Cincinnati Bengals this year.

Orlando is a champion on and off the football field. He’s dedicated to raising awareness and supporting type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. His passion is fueled by his late father, younger brother, and friends, including NFL players Mark Andrews and Noah Gray, who have T1D.

“I’m living proof that T1D doesn’t have to define you.”

The daughter of former basketball players, Lauren Cox’s skills and love for the game came naturally when she started playing in kindergarten. Ranked by ESPN as the “Top recruit” in the country, the Texas native selected Baylor University, where she became a star forward, averaging 12.5 points a game her senior year. Lauren’s accomplishments include the 2018 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention, the 2019 NCAA Championship, winning three gold medals with USA Basketball, and the 2020 co-recipient of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s (USBWA) Pat Summitt Award for Courage, alongside her sister Whitney Cox. Now a 6-foot-4 power forward, Lauren’s most significant achievement is being the #3 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

Diagnosed with T1D at seven years old, Lauren is the first player with T1D in the WNBA. She recalls feeling isolated and reluctant to discuss her diagnosis until she connected with other T1D children and families at a Breakthrough T1D Walk. It was there she experienced a sense of belonging. Her experiences growing up with T1D and her determination to thrive in the face of the disease have fueled her passion for raising awareness and inspiring other youth and young adults to live their dreams.

Actor Cameron Gellman is best known for his starring role as superhero Rick Tyler, also known as “Hourman,” in the DC Universe and The CW series, “Stargirl.” He is also known for his roles in the television series “Heathers,” “20th Century Women,” and “Let the Right One In.”

A native of Missouri, Cameron was diagnosed with T1D at 13 years old. He was also diagnosed with celiac disease when he was in middle school. However, he has never allowed it to interfere with his dreams. Since his diagnosis, he has worked hard to raise awareness and inspire other young people living with T1D that they, too, can live a full life and accomplish their dreams.

Born in Chesterfield, Missouri, Luke Kunin always knew he wanted to play hockey. When he was diagnosed with T1D at the early age of 12, his dreams came into question. Refusing to give up, Luke sought inspiration and support from other T1D athletes and role models. In 2016, he was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL Draft, where he played for four years. He signed with the San Jose Sharks in July 2022.

Now a successful hockey player, Luke is passionate about giving back and inspiring other T1D youth and young adults to pursue their goals and dreams and live life to the fullest. He is also committed to raising awareness and supporting research, launching the Luke Kunin T1D Fund in 2021, with all proceeds benefiting Breakthrough T1D.

“Dream big. Pursue your passions! And never let T1D dim your light.” 

Princess Padmaja Kumari Parmar is a descendant of the House of Mewar, the former royal house of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India. She founded Friends of Mewar in 2013, a non-profit organization based in Boston. The organization works to preserve Udaipur’s cultural heritage, provide access to preventative healthcare, and promote education and women’s empowerment.

Princess Padmaja was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of five. As a mother of two, advocating for greater awareness of T1D, particularly in the U.S. and India, she aims to dismantle misconceptions about T1D and improve access to life-saving resources across the globe.

Ryan Reed began racing cars at the early age of four and started racing professionally at 17 years old. Just as his career was taking off, he was diagnosed with T1D and was told he may never be able to race again. Determined not to give up, he sought guidance from diabetes medical experts who helped him get back on track.

Since winning at Daytona in the 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series, Ryan has pursued other career goals, including becoming a racecar driving coach while continuing to drive awareness about T1D and advocating for the diabetes community.

Adam Schefter has covered the NFL since 1990. He is regarded as one of the top sports reporters in the industry, especially for breaking news. As the senior NFL analyst for ESPN, he appears on “NFL Live,” “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday Night Countdown,” and “SportsCenter.” He also hosts his own ESPN podcast, “The Adam Schefter Podcast,” and regularly contributes to ESPN.com and ESPN Radio. Adam has been featured in Sports Illustrated’s (SI) Power 40+ and ranked number 13 on their Most Powerful People in Sports Media list. In 2014, SI’s NFL site, The MMQB, named him Media Person of the Year, and he was voted Best Insider for three straight years in fan surveys for USA Today. Adam’s influence also extends to social media, where millions of NFL fans consume his reporting on his and ESPN’s social media channels.

Adam has authored five books, his latest titled, “The Man I Never Met: A Memoir.” His other titles include the New York Times bestseller, “Romo: My Life on the Edge Living Dreams and Slaying Dragons,” and “The Class of Football: Words of Hard-Earned Wisdom from Legends of the Gridiron.”

Adam’s wife, Sharri, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 2002. They have been actively involved with Breakthrough T1D for several years, making it their mission to raise awareness and funds for T1D research.

“Having a pump made a huge difference in controlling my blood sugar and adding more flexibility to my life. Eat when you want, and sleep in. The clock was no longer in charge of my life’s daily choices.”

Women’s shoe designer Thom Solo discovered his love for creating sculptures while studying at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts School. Trained by his college professor to create wearable art, he immediately gravitated towards shoe design—launching his shoe company ‘Thom Solo, LLC’ in 2008. That same year, he launched his first private collection inspired by ‘femme fatale.’ Thom graduated in 2012, launching his second private collection, ‘GIGER’ the following year.

Thom gained mainstream popularity in 2014, working with style icons and music influencers, including Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Lana del Ray, and Britney Spears. Since the start of his career, he has launched five private collections donned by Carrie Underwood, Patricia Clarkson, and other female stars. His work is permanently displayed at the Peabody Essex Museum and was part of the 2019 Gender Bending Fashion exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Thom was diagnosed with T1D at two years old. At the early age of nine, he helped to conceptualize the Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, now one of the most recognized T1D advocacy events in the U.S. As a successful designer and entrepreneur, Thom remains committed to advocacy and raising awareness to erase the misperceptions about T1D in the media and popular culture.

Alisa Weilerstein is a mother, wife, and one of today’s foremost cellists. Since her professional debut in her early teens, she has been in high demand as a solo recitalist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist with leading orchestras worldwide. She received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2011.

An authority on Bach’s music for unaccompanied cello, Alisa released a best-selling recording of his solo suites in 2020, streamed them in her innovative #36DaysOfBach project, and deconstructed his G-major prelude in a video viewed more than a million times. Her discography also includes chart-topping albums and the winner of BBC Music’s “Recording of the Year” award. As Artistic Partner of the Trondheim Soloists, she regularly tours and records with the Norwegian orchestra. She is a champion of new music who has premiered works by major contemporary composers. Other career milestones include an account of Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Daniel Barenboim and the Berlin Philharmonic and a White House performance for the Obamas.

Diagnosed with T1D at nine years old, Alisa is a staunch advocate for the diabetes community. She is married to Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare. Together, they have two children.

Madison Carter is an award-winning broadcast journalist and investigative reporter who gained international recognition for her in-depth reporting following the civil unrest after George Floyd’s murder. Honored as “News Personality of the Year” by The Buffalo News and recognized by the NAACP for “being a critical voice for people of color,” Madison consistently pushes for systemic change in the criminal justice system.

After losing her younger sister to complications from T1D, Madison became a fierce advocate for awareness around diabetes care. Her work has earned her multiple awards, including two Virginia Associated Press awards for investigative reporting.

Madison was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age three and is a passionate advocate for affordable insulin and access to medical supplies. Her dedication led to her role as a Breakthrough T1D advocate, actively contributing to raising awareness and educating the community about T1D. Additionally, she has served as an executive officer for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), underscoring her commitment to making an impact in journalism and the diabetes community.

Antoine Gibson, an Atlanta native, embarked on his musical journey in 2004 when he first picked up the saxophone in elementary school. In high school, he formed the jazz and R&B fusion band TraVerse, gaining professional experience as they performed throughout the Southeast. After graduating in 2011, Antoine majored in music at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU). He became actively involved in the Marching 100 Band, jazz band, wind symphony, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc.

At FAMU, Antoine founded and arranged music for the brass band 3 Point and performed alongside accomplished artists, including Rick Ross, Kim Waters, Mike Phillips, and Bobby Brown. He also ventured into television and film, earning credits in VH1’s hit movie “Drumline 2: A New Beat” and the BET series “The Quad.” After completing his studies at FAMU, Antoine returned to Atlanta and established Mutali Music, LLC, a music production, arranging, and composition company. His 2022 debut album, “Tales from the Eastside,” pays homage to his hometown and journey with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Antoine’s career also boasts features in several movies and TV shows, including the new Disney mini-series “Falcon and Winter Soldier,” “Coming 2 America,” alongside artist Davido, and Tyler Perry’s “A Jazzman’s Blues.”

Adam is an accomplished original artist who gained recognition during the 2015 and 2016 “American Idol” seasons and became one of the judges’ favorites. His original music has been featured on various TV series, including WE’s “My Fair Wedding,” CBS’s “Young and the Restless,” and the “TonightShow” during a Jimmy Fallon impersonation. Adam also appeared in season 2 of NBC’s “The Voice.”

Adam credits his uncle, multiple Grammy Award winner Carlos Santana, for imparting musical and life lessons. He formed his “Adam Lasher Band” alongside his bandmates while studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Adam was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at nine years old. He revealed his diagnosis to the world on “American Idol” when asked about a small black case clipped to his guitar strap. At this time, he explained that the case involved holding a device that continuously monitored his blood sugar. Adam is dedicated to raising awareness about T1D and the critical need for research to bring advanced diabetes technologies and a cure to improve the lives of those affected by T1D.

Jordan Ligons Robinson is an accomplished writer, host, and podcaster in Los Angeles, California. As a former student-athlete, she covers women’s basketball, pop culture, and their intersections. She’s been published in GQ, Essence, Romper, The Ringer, and more.

Jordan’s journalism career started with an internship at San Diego Magazine. Then, she earned her first job as an editor for Locale Magazine in Orange County. After working her way up to senior editor, she pursued sports journalism, becoming a fact-checker and writer for The Ringer in 2018. Jordan is currently a freelance writer and on-camera host covering the WNBA.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 23 years old, Jordan aims to use her platform to educate people about T1D, focusing on adult diagnoses. She is passionate about using her voice to bring awareness by sharing her personal story and the stories of others thriving with T1D. Determined to make a difference, she is using her platform to raise awareness and educate others about T1D, particularly emphasizing the challenges faced by adults diagnosed with the condition.

Isaiah Stanback’s athleticism and passion for sports developed at an early age. By the time he reached high school, he excelled in Varsity Track, Football, Basketball, and Baseball, eventually earning letters in all four sports and a full scholarship to the University of Washington, where he earned a BA in American Ethnic Studies. He also earned an MBA at George Washington University School of Business.

Isaiah entered the 2007 draft and was selected in the 4th round by the Dallas Cowboys. In 2011, he joined the New York Giants, with whom he earned a Super Bowl ring. Since retiring from the NFL in 2013, he became Co-owner of the Steadfast Fitness and Performance, a personal training and performance facility near Dallas, TX.

Fiona Wylde is among the most decorated athletes in stand-up paddling (SUP), wing foiling, and windsurfing. Her ability to compete at the highest level in SUP racing and SUP surfing, wing foiling, and windsurfing makes her unique. Growing up in Hood River, Oregon, and Los Barriles, Mexico, Fiona began windsurfing racing at age 11, kitesurfing at 12, and stand-up paddleboarding at 13.

She has traveled worldwide, competing on the APP World Tour and winning the 2016 World Championship title, an honor recognizing her combined victories in international SUP surfing and racing. In 2021, Fiona won two more World Titles at the International Canoe Federation SUP World Championships in Hungary, making her a 3x SUP World Champion. She has also mounted podiums at some of the most elite events around the globe in all three sports, including winning the Columbia Paddle Challenge downwind race for five consecutive years, the Wing Foil World Tour Moroccan World Cup Championship, 2x Euro Tour SUP championships, and the US National Championship for IQ Foiling.

Fiona was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on her high school graduation day at 18. However, she refuses to allow T1D to interfere with her dreams. Ranking in the top three in the world, she balances travel, training, competing, and pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Oregon State University while managing her T1D. She is also dedicated to T1D education and inspiring adults and children with T1D to live a healthy, full life.