empowered by d-camps: diwan’s story of growth and connection
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d-camps left such a lasting impression that diwan minocha returned as a counsellor through diabetes canada’s leadership development program.
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diwan minocha was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was seven years old. living in a small town, he didn’t know anyone else who had diabetes. “none of my teachers or my classmates knew much about diabetes. it was very difficult for me and my parents to navigate that.”
an avid hockey player, diwan struggled to manage his blood sugar levels. “if i went low in the middle of a game, i’d have to come off the ice and sit out for 30 minutes,” he says. “my teammates didn’t understand why i had to do that. it was definitely isolating.”
with limited local resources and the nearest clinics in halifax—often difficult to access—diwan’s family took on the responsibility of educating teachers, coaches, parents, and friends to ensure they understood his condition and how to respond in an emergency. at the time, misinformation about diabetes was widespread, making it even harder to get the support he needed.
that all changed when diwan attended his first diabetes canada d-camp at age nine. surrounded by kids who understood exactly what he was going through, diwan felt a profound sense of relief and connection. “i never wanted to leave,” he remembers. camp wasn’t just fun—it was empowering. he and his parents also found it reassuring to know that if he experienced a low during an activity like swimming or canoeing, expert medical help was close at hand. a highlight for diwan was receiving a first time award for changing his insulin pump site on his own.
lauren linklater, senior manager of d-camps explains, “at d-camps, kids build the confidence and skills and are empowered to manage their diabetes independently, laying the foundation for lifelong success.”
d-camps left such a lasting impression that diwan returned as a counsellor through diabetes canada’s leadership development program. “as a camper, i was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone. i wanted to give that back,” he explains. over the years, he’s taken on roles as a media specialist, program director, and assistant director, guiding other kids through the same transformative experience. today, as a physician’s assistant in training, diwan’s time at d-camps continues to influence him. “the empathy and communication skills i gained there are invaluable,” he says.
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diwan’s story is just one example of the influence d-camps has on the nearly 1,260 school aged campers, as well as their families every year. with nine summer camps and 12 family camps across canada, diabetes canada has created a network of support, connection, and empowerment for young people facing similar challenges. and it’s making a difference—campers return year after year, with 100 percent reporting they feel more empowered to live well with diabetes, 92 percent saying they’ve developed meaningful connections, and 90 percent reporting that they learned how to better manage type 1 diabetes.
with the help of generous supporters, d-camps also offered over $197,000 in financial assistance in 2024, ensuring that as many children living with type 1 diabetes who want to attend can do so. parents see the benefits just as strongly, with 80 percent saying their child achieved a significant diabetes milestone at camp just like diwan when he changed his own pump for the first time.
for diwan, and so many like him, d-camps aren’t just a place to spend the summer—they’re a transformative community where kids and families gain the confidence, skills, and support they need to thrive with diabetes.
learn more about d-camps and donate to give children and youth with type 1 diabetes a life-changing camp experience.
this article was originally published february 13, 2025.
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