Bob Clarke signed jersey for Diabetic child

A letter to Brian Propp

We simply can’t thank you enough for the huge “assist” yesterday.

The family that was honored has been through quite a bit. Their 16-year old son was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes when he was just 14 months old. But he has gone on to play hockey at a prep school in Rhode Island and even led the team in assists last year as a sophomore. Just 3 months ago, his 12-year-old sister was also diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes, so the family has really been rocked by the disease.

Zach was really surprised when we gave him a stick autographed by Pat and a copy of his book. Then I told the audience, there was one more thing, and I unwound the story of how Bob Clarke had been overlooked by a few teams in the NHL draft because of his diabetes diagnosis but he had overcome that to win a couple of Stanley Cups and gain admission to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

There was an audible gasp in the room when I reached under the podium and pulled out the personalized jersey and handed it to Zach. It was a moment that everyone at the event will remember forever. Zach was just shocked and his family was blown away. Please thank Bob for the generous gesture and of course, sincere thanks from Pat and I to you for putting it all together. You just “get it” and it is a distinct pleasure to be able to work with you as we try to make the lives of these special kids just a little bit better.