Hall of Heroes:

Everyone needs a Hero! Especially children and young people who face and battle the challenges each and every day brought on by the disease of Type 1 diabetes.

We will invite and induct into our "Hall of Heroes", distinguished American "Heroes" to our foundation. These "Heroes" will be role models whose experiences exemplify that the opportunity for a successful life are available to any individual who is dedicated to the principles of integrity, hard work, perseverance and compassion for others.

Their stories will serve as examples of a "can do" attitude and the importance of working hard towards achieving a dream.

Trevor, Hero:

Trevor, Hall of Heroes Induction...
We are honored to announce our friend Trevor as our next inductee into the Kids With Courage, Distinguished Hall of Heroes. Trevor truly exemplifies what determination, hard work and keeping dreams alive can do, especially in the face of adversity. Thank you Trevor, for being who you are!:

Don't give up on your dreams!
After an illness that put him in the hospital, Trevor was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 7. Back in the 80's, doctors had not yet caught up with the disease as much as they have today and so began the rollercoaster of medicines, shots, dosage changes, and different diets. He made a game of trying to give himself insulin shots in public without anyone noticing.

People around him started to tell him that there were things he could not or should not do, but for as long as he could remember, Trevor wanted to be a warrior. He soon learned that the armed forces would not accept or even consider accepting him because of his diabetes, no matter how great his desire. Well the next best thing to being a soldier was being a police officer, so Trevor set out to prepare himself to accomplish just that. After high school, he put himself through the police academy. He made it a rule to take care of his body as much as he could. That dedication and hard work paid off as Trevor graduated with outstanding academic scores and top physical ratings!

After graduation, Trevor began taking written and physical tests for police positions with several different agencies as part of the job interview process. Trevor exceeded all requirements! Although Trevor had all the right skills to qualify, his excitement to begin his dream career quickly faded as he was told that he would not be hired because he had diabetes. Time after time, each interview ended similarly; "Trevor, you scored very well and if you weren’t diabetic, we would hire you." Month by month, each interview continued to dishearten Trevor, but Trevor did not give up!

With fierce determination, Trevor kept testing with police agencies. Finally, at one interview he blatantly told the police chief, “I’m diabetic AND the best qualified applicant. I will excel at being a police officer here or somewhere else. If my diabetes is going to be an issue for you, tell me now and don’t waste my time.” Surprisingly, that police chief hired him and Trevor finally began the work he had prepared for, trained at and dreamed about for so long.

Finally beginning his dream career, Trevor worked very hard through changing shifts from night to day. He maintained his physical stamina by exercising and running every day. He took the opportunity to test for the S.W.A.T. team and was accepted. Trevor continued to train and study with passion. He learned and thrive in everything he did – and he LOVED every minute of it.

Two years after his hiring, Trevor was selected to become an investigator dealing specifically with crimes against children. Again, the new position required schedule changes, long hours, spur-of-the-moment eating schedules, and extreme emotional stresses. This meant Trevor had to pay even more attention to testing blood sugar levels, counting carbs, and exercising regularly. Most days he just didn’t feel well, but Trevor's passion and dedication drove him to give 100% to the job anyway. Trevor spent countless hours working to help catch criminals. One time, Trevor worked for 36 hours straight to find a suspected rapist. Again, his hard work was rewarded as he received one of the police department’s first “Medal of Merit” awards for his work in apprehending four rape suspects. In his 3rd year as a police officer (2004), Trevor earned the department’s highest honor as “Officer of the Year”.

Trevor had been a police officer for 4 years when was hired by the Sheriff’s Department as a Sergeant responsible for training and supervision! (an incredible achievement for a 4th year officer!) But Trevor did not stop there. He didn’t do all that work just to prove somebody wrong who said he couldn’t do it. He was living his dream and was still driven to excel at it.

In 2007, Trevor took on a new challenge as a canine officer. Trevor learned to work, teach and train with his canine partner, Tara. Together, Trevor and Tara successfully tested and certified to apprehend criminals and sniff out illegal drugs.

This year (2009), Trevor was selected as assistant team leader of the S.W.A.T. team. This honor offers Trevor more opportunity for self improvement and leadership experience. Trevor believes you should always be working to improve; be it your work, your school or your self! He knows first hand how extremely important education is for reaching your dreams. He looks forward to much more success and a very happy future in his personal dream career. (Hopefully, even a cure for diabetes in his lifetime!)

Trevor's doctor is still amazed that he is so healthy considering he has had Type 1 diabetes for more than 20 years! But that's just one more example how Trevor shows that you can achieve amazing results when you dedicate your mind to a goal and make it a priority in your life.

Trevor, for all you have done and accomplished, you are a Hero in many ways! Thank you and your family for letting us share your story and congratulations on being a Distinguished Hero for our "Kids with Courage"!

Lee Iacocca, Hero:

Iacocca Hall of Heroes Inductee...
We are honored to announce Mr. Lee Iacocca as charter member into the Kids With Courage, Distinguished Hall of Heroes. Mr. Iacocca has graciously accepted the award with the following statement:

"Thank you for the honor. I will continue my mission to support the Iacocca Foundation in finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes".

Mr. Iacocca has consistently displayed a passion and desire to accomplish his goals through ingenuity and persistence. While Mr. Iacocca may be most well known for his agility in American corporate history, we feel that it was simply preparation for his entry into the philanthropic arena. The Iacocca Foundation is a major player in finding and funding promising approaches to cure diabetes. Mr. Iacocca's courage to accept the challenges put in front of him to attain a greater reward is why we are proud to have him as our first member in the Kids With Courage Distinguished Hall of Heroes. You really have to admire an individual who says "I love a challenge!"

Biography:
Mr. Lee Iacocca demonstrates even to this day at age 83, his iconic leadership ability. In his book, "Where Have All The Leaders Gone?" he shares lessons learned. The book is written openly and frankly, in such a way that few people have the insight, strength or courage to do.

Born: October 25, 1924
Home: Lee Iacocca grew up in Allentown, PA., and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
Biggest Goal and Wish: To cure diabetes in his lifetime.
Toughest Time: Losing his wife to diabetes.

As a Role Model: A remarkable self-made man who many Americans once wished would run for president. Probably known the world over as the most widely recognized business executive of all times. President of the Ford Motor Company until he and Henry Ford no longer saw eye to eye. The man who saved the Chrysler Corporation from financial ruin, masterminded the creation of the minivan, and oversaw the renovation of Ellis Island, created the Iacocca Institute for leadership at Lehigh University and the Iacocca Foundation, which funds research for a cure for diabetes. A powerful, multifaceted leader who will forever grace the pages of history books. He's an honest, tell it like it is kind of guy. He’s hard working, compassionate and he genuinely cares about people, and our country. He's had set-backs in his career and always fights his way through and makes his way back to the top.

Early Beginnings: Born Lido Anthony Iacocca in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Italian immigrants who had settled in Pennsylvania’s steel-making belt. Parents were Nicola and Antonietta Iacocca. Lee's parents worked hard to provide for their family. Nicola believed in America and felt that in America you had the freedom to become anything you wanted to be if you were willing to work hard for it, and he did just that.

Lee displayed his passion for hard work and managerial skills at a young age. When he was 10 years old, he would take his wagon to the grocery store and wait outside. As shoppers came out he would offer to pull their groceries home for them for a tip. By the time he was 16 he worked eight hours a day in a fruit market. Lee attributes his work ethic to the example set by his father.

The depression hit his family just as hard as the rest of the country. Lee feels the depression had a direct impact on his life. When he graduated from college his only goal was to make $10,000 a year by the time he was 25, and then progress to a millionaire. As a direct result of living through the depression, Lee gets upset about any sort of waste. Whether it's throwing away food, having to get rid of clothing just because it's gone out of style, or waste in business, Lee makes no bones about his dislike for waste.

In grade school Lee came face to face with ethnic and religious intolerance. He realized the importance of recognizing people for their contributions and abilities, not their race, nationality or religion.

College Education: Graduated from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA in 1945 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He then pursued his Master's degree in Engineering from Princeton University.

Career: In 1946 Lee was hired as an engineer by the For Motor Company. He quickly proved that he was better suited for sales. It was this shift that sparked an illustrious beginning for Lee and ushered in monumental achievements for Ford. In 1975 Lee and Henry Ford II began to have a personality conflict. The tension continued to escalate, and Lee was fired in July of 1978. In 1979 he joined forces with Chrysler and advanced to the position of CEO. In a career that spanned 40 years in the automobile industry, Lee's maverick, street smart, "thinking on your feet" approach induced many breakthrough programs.

Lee Iacocca Family: Lee's family has always been of paramount importance. He and his beloved wife Mary had two daughters, Kathryn and Lia, who made the Iacocca family complete. Despite his busy professional life, Lee was determined to balance his responsibilities at the office with those at home. Lee made sure he played a large role in his daughters' upbringing, never failing to provide them his love and support. Today, his adored wife Mary is deceased. He remains very close to his two daughters and sons in law, Ned and Victor, along with seven grandchildren. Mr. Iacocca's greatest joy is spending time with them.

Closing Quotes from Lee Iacocca:
"Apply yourself. Get all the education you can, but then, by God, do something! Don't just stand there, make it happen."

"I have found that being honest is the best technique I can use. Right up front, tell people what you're trying to accomplish and what you're willing to sacrifice to accomplish it."

"In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive."