Achi news desk-
A Calgary mother is keeping her daughter’s legacy alive, 10 years after she lost her to complications with Type 1 diabetes.
“There’s always a piece missing,” said Cheryl Mihaljevich, with tears in her eyes.
Mihaljevich’s daughter, Kelsey Roberts, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 14 years old.
Despite spending much of her teenage years in and out of hospital, she was determined to help others. She collected aluminum can tabs and donated the proceeds to Ronald McDonald House so they could buy baking supplies, an activity Kelsey enjoyed doing.
“Kelsey wanted to help kids feel a sense of home and be with their families even when they were living out of town and in the hospital,” Mihaljevich said. “Not many adults who are hurting or challenged in terms of health can get out of bed and do something. For her to have done that until she passed, I’m so proud of her,” he said.
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Kelsey’s family has continued the work he started.
Every spring they collect donations for the baking cupboard at the Ronald McDonald House in Calgary, a cupboard which bears Kelsey’s name on the door.
“This baking program probably wouldn’t exist without Kelsey’s supporters,” said Heico Huwald, a volunteer baker at the house.
“Every shift I open that door and I get to see Kelsey’s story,” said Huwald, who is also a captain with the Calgary Fire Department. Howald comes in three times a week to bake treats for children and their families.
“It’s giving back, and knowing that I’ve done something that someone is going to enjoy after a rough day, it gave me a warm spot in my heart,” he said.
Kelsey’s birthday is May 15, a difficult date for her family. But they decided to turn their pain into something else and started Kelsey Kindness Day.
Not only the date they donate the baking supplies to Ronald McDonald House, but they also encourage others to share in their daughter’s example and practice simple acts of kindness.
It also happens to be chocolate chip cookie day.
Donations can be dropped off at the Ronald McDonald House.
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