Woolley’s Warriors: Building Awareness of Type 1 Diabetes Through Hockey

For the X-Men hockey team's Mark Woolley, being an AUS athlete is about more than just the game of hockey. Mark is the founder of the Woolley's Warriors initiative, a non-profit organization he launched in 2019 to bring awareness to the challenges faced by athletes with type 1 diabetes. Woolley's Warriors also fundraises to send kids with type 1 diabetes to D-Camps, which are summer camps ran by Diabetes Canada that provide support and community to children who live with diabetes. Mark started and developed Woolley's Warriors during his tenure with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack but has recently brought the organization to Antigonish. The following is a conversation with Mark that explores the purpose behind Woolley's Warriors, the importance of his organization, and his message to young athletes living with type 1 diabetes.

XW: How would you describe the Woolley’s Warriors initiative?

Woolley: It’s a non-profit we launched in 2019 with the main goal of raising awareness of those living with type 1 diabetes. Also, we try to fundraise to help send athletes to [Diabetes Canada] D-Camps, which are summer camps that put kids in an environment with others that have the same lifestyle. They provide a sense of normalcy for those kids.

XW: What motivated to start the Woolley’s Warriors initiative?

Woolley: It hits close to home with my brother and I being diabetic, but the idea was sparked by a former captain of mine. He started a mental health initiative called McFadden’s Movement in my first major junior season. He actually played for the Acadia Axemen later on, and ended up bringing it out here to the AUS. He showed me the ropes of using your platform- its more than just the game of hockey. After seeing what he could do with his initiative, I got some ideas that laid the foundation for what Woolley’s Warriors became.

XW: The funds raised by Woolley’s Warriors go towards sending kids to D-Camps. Why does this program fit your organization’s mission?

Woolley: The opportunity for kids to be in an environment where they can see that their diabetes doesn’t have to define them is so important. That’s a reason why I wanted to start sharing my story. It’s not the end of the world. If you have it managed and kept in control, you can still chase your dreams. You don’t have to let it get in the way of doing things.

XW: How does your personal experiences inform the work you do with Woolley’s Warriors?

Woolley: I was diagnosed when I was 12, and hockey had already become a huge part of my life. I was shy at first, but I realized that people wanted to learn and ask questions. Being comfortable with it helps improve my overall mental health. That’s a skill I want kids to learn at a young age. That’s the main goal behind Woolley’s Warriors- to have confidence in your diabetes and not have it be something that’s bringing you down.

XW: Woolley’s Warriors recently held a fundraising event at the X-Men hockey team’s November 17th game against the UPEI Panthers. How was that experience?

Woolley: It was a really special night. It was pretty cool to officially bring Woolley’s Warriors to Antigonish for the first time. Most of the work I’ve done with Woolley’s Warriors was during my time with the Owen Sound Attack. I took last year off to get used to being on the east coast and living the university lifestyle, so it was a really special moment. Especially to see how full the crowd was- I wasn’t expecting it to be that well-supported. Thank you to all the students and local community members that came out! It was a cool night, and definitely something to build on.

XW: Lastly, what is your message to young hockey players living with type 1 diabetes?

Woolley: To not let your diabetes define you. It’s a disease- you have to manage it properly, but you don’t have to let it stop you from doing things, whether that’s fun things with your friends or playing sports. As long as you learn to manage it, you don’t have to let it interfere with anything you want to do.