Zander & Team Novo Nordisk

Graham Daugherty • September 4, 2015

My name is Zander and I’m 14 years old. I live in Denmark and I’ve been a diabetic since April 1, 2014.nnThe 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.nnSo 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….nnThe 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.

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!

A picture of a mountain with a white circle in the middle.

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 ID Camp next summer! I am also doing a fundraiser for Team Type 1 to help children in Africa with Diabetes Type 1.

A picture of a mountain with a white circle in the middle.
Photographs by Zach Monette
A woman is doing a split with the words if i can just inspire one person

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With Father’s Day just around the corner, I am thinking about my dad even more than I usually do. He was a special man who lived a remarkable, impactful life right up until the day he passed away at the age of 98, a little over a year and a half ago. He was a decorated World War II veteran, a bookie in Vegas during the Rat Pack era who married the love of his life between rounds of a prize fight, and who later went on to become a successful entrepreneur. Most importantly though, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
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