November 18, 2024 Spill the Diabetea with Mark Woolley

Mark Woolley has had a personal connection to diabetes since he was a kid. His older brother, Matt, was diagnosed with type 1 at birth, and Mark has regularly helped test Matt’s blood sugar and give him insulin. 

When Mark was diagnosed at age 12, he says, “It definitely wasn't as shocking for me as for some first-timers. The biggest thing was that adaptation period. You go from living your life one way to having to completely change your routines and your diets and pretty much everything in the snap of a finger.” 

Figuring out his life with diabetes was also important for someone who has been playing hockey since he was a kid and has dreams of playing professionally. Most recently, Mark played with the Owen Sound Attack as part of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He is currently playing with St. Francis Xavier X-Men. Community and a strong support network have been vital to his success on and off the ice.

Summing up his diabetes experience, Mark says,

It took me a little bit longer than I would have liked to accept everything. The biggest thing I try and promote is just don't let your diabetes define you.

Today, Mark is making time to Spill the Diabetea and share what it’s like to live with diabetes as part of Diabetes Canada’s campaign to raise awareness, educate others on the daily realities of managing diabetes, and inspire change. 

Did you know? 

Every three minutes, someone in Canada is diagnosed with diabetes. This Diabetes Awareness Month, we want to hear from you whether, like Mark, you live with diabetes or you care for someone who does. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram or X and share what life with the condition really looks like. Visit Let’s Make Time to Spill the Diabetea to get started.