Picking a cause to support can be a difficult decision.
That is why I was quite pleased when I saw that the Humboldt Broncos were supporting juvenile diabetes through the Dahlgren’s Diabeauties.
As a member of the community, seeing the local hockey team provide support to the youth, some of whom look up to the team and the players, is a great thing.
I have seen many local children dealing with Type I diabetes so I know the need is there.
The Broncos do of course have a player who is currently a Type I diabetic so it does make it easier to support the cause.
But this is also a better opportunity for the children as well.
We hear all the time about players who are Type I diabetics but still manage to compete at the highest level, like former Saskatchewan Roughrider John Chick or NHLer Max Domi.
But what gets lost is the connection between those players and those children.
That’s where Kaleb Dahlgren and the Humboldt Broncos come in.
Dahlgren has been a Type I diabetic for the last 16 years so he knows a thing or two about how to properly manage it.
That’s why I think the Diabeauties is such a great cause.
Through this cause, those children who only hear about people who are on television get the chance to meet a Broncos player who has been managing it for many years.
They get to see that this guy succeeded despite being diabetic.
They get to ask questions and learn a thing or two.
I have to admit, I have family members who are diabetic but I do not really know the first thing about it.
I know there is a constant need to monitor your blood sugars, and to eat according to the readings, but it is not that simple.
If I am 26 years old and struggle to truly grasp the idea of diabetes I can imagine how difficult it must be for a four year old child to grasp.
Imagine being told at four years old that those cookies you really like to eat you cannot have anymore, or at least not nearly as many.
That’s tough.
So thank goodness for Dahlgren and the Broncos.
Not only are they raising money to help find a cure but they are using their platform to help others who are going through the same thing.
That’s a great thing for our community and our children.
