It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch a rare live singing public performance by Music Legend Neil Diamond: singing “Sweet Caroline” at the 39th Annual Carousel Ball in Denver, Colorado, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center on October 11, 2025!
Neil Diamond was honored with the “Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award” in honor of his incredible service and dedication to the BDC and the role he has played in advancing type 1 diabetes care and clinical research. The music icon accepted the award alongside his wife and son, Katie and Jesse Diamond. In the below photo (L-R): Nick Fradiani and Neil Diamond, Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, perform onstage during the 39th Annual Carousel Ball: 
Nick Fradiani did a great job of playing the guitar, and singing a few of the words with Neil Diamond doing 95% of the singing, giving a 100% perfect performance, with a very powerful voice! They performed a version of Neil’s classic 1969 song “Sweet Caroline” that had all of the crowd singing along. American Idol winner Nick Fradiani starred in the Diamond-themed Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise and currently is featured in a touring version of the show.
Four-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Goo Goo Dolls closed out the evening with an incredible performance of hit songs including “Iris,” “Slide,” “Name,” Sympathy,” and “Better Days.” Beyond selling 15 million records worldwide, John Rzeznik and Robby Takac have together garnered nearly a dozen platinum and gold singles combined and seized a page in the history books by achieving 15 number one and Top 10 hits. As a result, they hold the all-time radio record for “Most Top 10 Singles.” In the below photo (L-R): John Rzeznik and Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls perform onstage during the 39th Annual Carousel Ball: 
On this show you will see clips from the show, with amazing live performances from the concert portion of the show from Neil Diamond, and the Goo Goo Dolls, along with an opening speech from the Event Chairman Dana Davis, who hosts this show. Dana is the daughter of Barbara Davis and Marvin Davis: the founders of The Children’s Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center! Special guests included: Broadway star: Nick Fradiani, Rowan Henchy, and many more, with video messages from Country Singer: Luke Bryan, Barbara Davis, NFL Denver Bronco’s legendary QB: John Elway, and Actor: Hugh Jackman!
Neil Diamond very rarely performs anymore due to his health, so it was a great privilege to see him perform at this amazing gala event, and what better song from him to sing than his signature song, the iconic: “Sweet Caroline!” which is popular due to its simple, catchy melody and singalong chorus, which makes it a crowd-pleaser at sporting events, parties, and other gatherings. Its popularity is amplified by its use as a de facto anthem by sports teams like the Boston Red Sox and the England football team, events that can go viral and spread its recognition to new audiences. This combination of easy-to-join-in music and shared cultural moments has cemented the song’s status as a beloved classic.
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Sporting and cultural momentum:
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The Boston Red Sox:The song has been an institution at Fenway Park, played before the bottom of the eighth inning at every home game since 2002. The team’s 2004 World Series win helped solidify the song’s lucky status. Neil Diamond’s impromptu performance after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing further strengthened the connection between the song and the team.
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England football team:The song became an unofficial anthem for England fans during the Euro 2020 tournament, when a DJ played it after a historic win against Germany. It has since become a regular feature at England matches, football festivals, and other sporting events.
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Other events:The song’s popularity extends beyond baseball and football to events like boxing matches, rugby, and even weddings and birthdays.
Collective consciousness:-
Shared experience:The song’s consistent presence at major events creates a sense of collective memory and shared experience for people across generations and locations.
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Familiarity:Even for those who weren’t fans of the song originally, it has become so ingrained in popular culture that most people recognize it, making it a unifying singalong moment.
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“I’ve been through it all now, and I’m still coming back for more,” said Neil Diamond, who has proudly served on CDF’s Advisory Board and has attended and performed at the organization’s previous star-studded fundraising galas. “I remember being a 15-year-old in Brooklyn and dreaming of a day like this… My sincere thanks to Barbara and Dana [Davis] for including me in this beautiful evening… I’m proud to be a champion for this cause and grateful to be part of a night that brings hope to so many. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.” 
Neil was also surprised with a congratulations video featuring Hugh Jackman – who stars in the highly anticipated musical drama Song Sung Blue, following Jackman opposite Kate Hudson in a Neil Diamond tribute band: “I’m thrilled you’re getting this award, because you are inspirational – not just through your music and creativity, but through your heart and your generosity. As a performer myself, you inspire me every single day. The way you connect with audiences, the way you connect to your music, the authenticity of who you are, it’s everything to me.”
Country star Luke Bryan added: “Congratulations, I’m a huge fan of you and all you’ve done for music… All my career, if I’m losing a crowd, all I gotta do is play ‘Sweet Caroline,’ and I got ‘em back. And my wife’s named Caroline, too, so that helps!”
Honorary Event Chair and CDF Co-Founder Barbara Davis added: “It’s such a thrill to see you again and to know that you are very happy. Truly, Neil, you spread love, and I give you this award. There is no one who doesn’t know and care about Neil Diamond, so I wish you and Katie [Diamond] a happy, happy life.”
Diamond treated attendees with a live performance of his 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline” with Broadway star Nick Fradiani, who played Neil Diamond in the hit Broadway musical and current tour based on Neil’s life, “The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise.” The unforgettable exchange was reminiscent of an impromptu duet Diamond gave with George Clooney at CDF’s Beverly Hills gala in 2012, which became a beloved viral moment for the organization.
Neil Diamond’s illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has seen him sell over 130 million albums, placing him among the best-selling rock musicians ever. He has had 18 Top 10 albums and scored nearly 40 Top 40 singles, with 10 reaching number one. A GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also has received two of the highest honors bestowed upon songwriters: the Johnny Mercer Award and the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. His achievements include a Golden Globe Award, 13 GRAMMY nominations, an American Music Award, an ASCAP Film and Television Award, and a Billboard Icon Award. Neil Diamond’s net worth is estimated to be around $300 million. He is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, having sold over 130 million records worldwide.
Event Chairman Dana Davis hosted The 39th Annual Carousel Ball, presented by Dexcom, on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Denver, Colo. With CBS News Colorado anchor Michael Spencer as the evening’s Host, the biennial event returned to present Neil Diamond with the “Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award” and The MacMillan Family with the “High Hopes Tribute Award,” while patrons of the evening were treated to a show-stopping performance from the Goo Goo Dolls. The event raised $2 million this year, and has raised $119 million to date, for the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes!
Dana Davis kicked off the evening’s festivities to welcome guests and pay homage to her parents, Barbara Davis and Marvin Davis, who started CDF and the BDC 50 years ago after she was first diagnosed. “The Children’s Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center have accomplished more than my parents could have imagined. Together, we have contributed to the advancement of life-changing technologies… And thanks to your generosity, we have raised over $117 million to further this mission.” She added: “But our work is far from finished. Our vision is bold: to achieve the next 50 years of progress in just 25 – bringing us closer to prevention, better care for everyone living with Type 1 diabetes, and a cure.”
The 39th Annual Carousel Ball celebrated all the remarkable things the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC) has accomplished and brought to the forefront of diabetes care, as well as the exciting research and influential moments they have been a part of since its inception in 1978. The Ball aims to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and support clinical care and research at the BDC, which provides specialized care for children, adolescents, and young adults, while also conducting extensive clinical and basic science programs to prevent and ultimately cure this chronic, life-threatening condition.
The MacMillan Family were also honored at the event, receiving the “High Hopes Tribute Award” for their over three decades of support and service. Darius Anderson, a member of the MacMillan family living with type 1 diabetes, accepted the award on their behalf. The MacMillans, based in Denver (home to CDF’s base of operations), have served on several committees, donated auction items, made generous contributions, and brought dozens of guests to the wonderful and important events that support the organization.
On the heels of going viral on TikTok, the Goo Goo Dolls global hit “Iris” is now Certified Diamond and amassed over 5 billion streams to date. The track continues to reach new audiences around the world, yet again proving the timelessness and staying power of Goo Goo Dolls’ illustrious catalog.
The event also held an auction featuring hot ticket items such as a Travis Kecle signed jersey; a stunning 18K white gold necklace with 2.3 carats of exquisite natural diamonds; and a four-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort Anguilla, with a winning bid of $14,000.
Type 1 diabetes, which affects more than 9.5 million people worldwide, is on the rise. In the United States, approximately 64,000 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year—about 60% of new diagnoses occur in adults, and roughly 30,000 are children. The Carousel Balls have raised almost $119 million to date, with proceeds supporting the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, the fundraising arm of and the BDC. The BDC provides state-of-the-art care to more than 8,000 patients from 49 states and over 33 countries, including 35% who live at or below the poverty level and 45% who are underinsured or uninsured.
The 2025 Carousel Ball is proudly presented by Dexcom, a company empowering people to take control of health through innovative glucose sensing technology. Underwriting support is provided by Sanofi. Additional sponsorship generously provided by 5280 Magazine, the official media sponsor of The Carousel Ball, the Abrams Family, MacMillan Family, Hyatt Regency Denver, The Corley Legacy Foundation, RBC Wealth Management, Eva Schoonmaker, Iris & Michael Smith and 7Cellars Wines by John Elway. CBS Colorado is the broadcast partner and KBCO is the radio partner of The Carousel Ball.
The Children’s Diabetes Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, focusing on patient support, diabetes research, and public awareness. The Children’s Diabetes Foundation, located in Aurora, was established by Barbara and Marvin Davis in 1977 after their daughter, Dana, developed diabetes at the age of seven. The non-profit organization is dedicated solely to the support of research in diabetes and to providing the best possible clinical and educational programs for people with the disease. The Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and its world-renowned research programs, where thousands of patients with type 1 diabetes, children, and adults alike, receive the finest diabetes care available.
Photo Credit: Tom Cooper/Getty Images for 39th Annual Carousel Ball, and Video Credit: Bob Tatlock/Getty Images for 39th Annual Carousel Ball.
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