Zander & T1D Pro Cycling Team Novo Nordisk
Zander Heden, T1D Cycling Fan from Denmark • September 4, 2015
TL;DR
Living with type 1 diabetes does not mean giving up on big dreams. This inspiring story follows Zander’s journey as a cyclist and athlete pursuing his goals alongside Team Novo Nordisk, a professional sports team made up entirely of athletes with diabetes. Through dedication, perseverance, and diabetes management, Zander demonstrates that T1D is a challenge to navigate—not a barrier to achievement. His story encourages young people with diabetes to stay active, dream big, and never let their diagnosis define their future.
Meet Zander: An Athlete Living with Type 1 Diabetes
My name is Zander and I’m 14 years old. I live in Denmark and I’ve been a diabetic since April 1, 2014. The days leading to my diabetes diagnosis, I was really thirsty and had some of the other symptoms. My mom and I went to the doctor about a week later. When we got there, my doctor took my blood sugar and I was so high that the glucose meter couldn’t measure it. So my doctor told me the news and then she put me in the hospital to take a blood test to get my exact blood sugar. It was pretty high, but they said that we came in time since no long-term damage had been done to my body. But, still, I was really angry when they told me that I had Type 1 diabetes and I was going to have it for the rest of my life…. The day after my diagnosis, I remembered hearing about Team Novo Nordisk. So I quickly googled it, got to their website, and began reading & watching their videos.
I found it really inspirational so I went out on my mountain bike as soon as the nurse let me.
Discovering Inspiration Through Team Novo Nordisk
They said I would be in the hospital for 2 weeks, but the second week was my Easter holiday so I wanted to get out early. I did my first injection and took my blood sugar by myself. I did most of my bike training when there was the opportunity. I worked hard enough that they let me out of the hospital one week earlier than originally planned!
Afterwards, I entered the Team Novo Nordisk #DiabetesEmpowered competition, which I won the same month. I was put into the finals with the chance to win the Grand Prize.
In December, my mom and dad printed a certificate from Team Novo Nordisk, which said I had won the competition! I was so happy!
I was invited to the Team Training Camp in Alicante, Spain, where I got to meet Team Novo Nordisk members and was made an Honorary Member of Team Novo Nordisk. It was the best time of my life! Since I got involved with Team Novo Nordisk, I haven’t looked back on my diabetes. Now my goal is to join the Team Novo Nordisk Talent T1D Camp next summer! I am also doing a fundraiser for Team Type 1 to help children in Africa with Diabetes Type 1.
Photographs by Zach Monette
