Since the age of four years old, former Humboldt Bronco and now York Lions forward Kaleb Dahlgren has been faced with the challenge of balancing Type 1 Diabetes and his passion, playing hockey. This has driven Dahlgren to create an advocacy program titled Dahlgren's Diabeauties. This program will help other children who live with Type 1 Diabetes realize that they are not alone and there are people fighting for a cure. "I want the children with Type 1 Diabetes to meet someone who has gone through what they are going through and help them understand that having diabetes does not stop them from living their lives to the absolute fullest," stated Dahlgren.

Dahlgren's Diabeauties will recognize a child with Type 1 Diabetes at Lions home games during the season. The Diabeauty will receive complimentary tickets for them and their immediate family, participate in a ceremonial puck drop, take pictures with Kaleb on ice and meet him after the game. Dahlgren has developed a presentation that he would be willing to go and visit the classrooms of the Diabeauty and speak to students about Type 1 Diabetes.

  ABOUT KALEB
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of four, and at the time, it was a big change to face at such a young age. My world turned upside down in an instant; I could no longer eat the foods I wanted, when I wanted. Along with the new diet came needles, finger pokes, insulin, "highs", "lows" and "carbs". When I got home from the hospital I thought the needles would stop, they didn't and when it was time for my needle, I would hide in the closet hoping my parents wouldn't find me, they always did and it was an emotional event. This new world of diabetes was difficult for me and my family to understand since we didn't know anyone else with Type 1 Diabetes.

Dahlgren's Diabeauties will recognize a child with Type 1 Diabetes at one Lions home game during the season. The Diabeauty will receive complimentary tickets for them and their immediate family, participate in a ceremonial puck drop, take pictures with Kaleb on ice and sit with him during the game. Dahlgren has developed a presentation that he would be willing to go and visit the classrooms or teammates of the Diabeauty and speak to them about Type 1 Diabetes.

I have always had sports in my life and have always played at the highest level. Hockey has always been my PASSION and I was on the ice at the age of two and have been skating ever since. Shortly after being diagnosed, I began organized "minor hockey" and would quickly have to learn how to balance my blood sugar, insulin, food and exercise. I remember my parents telling me about a hockey player named Bobby Clarke who played in the NHL and he had Type 1 Diabetes. I have always remembered that and would always think "If there is a someone playing in the NHL with Type 1 Diabetes, I could do the same and it just isn't a dream!"

Along the way there were always coaches and scouts that questioned if I could compete in hockey having diabetes and time and time again I would prove them wrong! My parents never let diabetes get in my way, not once did they ever say, "No, you cannot do that because you have diabetes", it was always the opposite. "We will make that work!" My dad would manage my hockey teams and sometimes coach which meant he was always close by, so road trips, hotels and team events were never a problem.

Sports has taken me all over North America and twice to Europe. I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people through sports and have assembled an amazing group of friends along the way. Hockey has given me so much and taught me even more! I am so excited to give back to the sport and more importantly I want to help support children with Type 1 Diabetes. I want children with Type 1 Diabetes to know that they are not alone and that diabetes does not have to stop them from living their life to the fullest! We will band together and fight for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
 

ABOUT DAHLGREN'S DIABEAUTIES
The program will recognize a child with Type 1 Diabetes at a York Lions home game located at Canlan Ice Sports York, 989 Murray Ross Pkwy, North York, during the season. A Dahlgren's Diabeauty will receive the following:

• Complimentary ticket for themselves and their parents/guardians for the game
• A $25 gift certificate for a pre-game meal
• Participate in an on-ice ceremonial puck drop with Kaleb
• A picture of the puck drop and an on-ice picture with Kaleb
• Sit with Kaleb during the game, meet with Kaleb and receive some Diabeauties and Lions gear, take pictures, and "talk diabetes" with Kaleb
• Be entered into a Diabeauty family only Facebook page that Kaleb posts regularly and can connect with other Diabeauty families
• Kaleb has developed a presentation and is always willing to go and visit the child's classroom or teammates and speak to them about Type 1 Diabetes