Breakfast With Brooke

Diabetes Organization Honors Father Of The Year

Written by Brooke Wagner

DENVER (CBS4) ― Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler's diabetes diagnosis recently prompted a new discussion about the disease in our community. Thousands of Coloradans have learned how to cope with diabetes. One of them is Ken Ellgen, whose daughter, now Becky Fenton, was diagnosed at age 3.

"At first, you just can't believe there's something seriously wrong with your child," Ellgen said.

Ellgen found the best medical care for Becky, then took his support a step further by leading fundraising events for juvenile diabetes. This year, just before Father's Day, the American Diabetes Association named Ken Ellgen one of its Father of the Year honorees. CBS4's Brooke Wagner talked to Ellgen about what the award means to him.

"Just having your kids think you're okay is the best. I can't imagine anything that would mean more to me that that," Ellgen said.

It has not been an easy road for the Ellgen family. Several years ago, Ken was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His wife of 36 years, Susan, and daughters Becky and Erin, stand by him every step as he fights to survive.

"If he said, 'Help me do this,' I'm there, no problem. That's just the kind of family we are. Everybody helps everyone," Fenton said.

That includes Erin's daughter, 4-year-old Isabelle, who was diagnosed with leukemia 18 months ago.

Ellgen regrets having to retire from Xcel Energy after 35 years, but embraces the chance to spend time with Isabelle and his other grandchildren.

"It has given me loads of time to play with all the grandkids, which definitely makes my day. Any of the four of them -- soon to be five -- I'll do that any time. They make me feel better just by being here," said Ellgen. "For me, it was never about making the most money or being president of a company. For me it was about making a living for the family and spending time with the family."

Fenton remembers how hard her dad worked to spend time with her, even when he was laying gas lines as a construction worker and going to school at night.

"I remember him going to work early and coming home late, but never missing a volleyball game ... ever missing out on us," Fenton said, "Father's Day rolls around and the memories are of all the time he spent with us, which was amazing."

As for Ellgen's advice for other dads, he said listening, patience, and accepting the good with the bad, are key to good parenting.

"I always try to be a parent but at the same time be someone that (my children) knew they could comfortably talk to. ... I'm a lucky guy and I know it."

Ellgen is about to be a grandfather for the fifth time. Fenton is expecting a baby soon.

"It gets me weepy. I'm a little emotional right now, in my state, but I'm so proud of him," said Fenton. "I couldn't be prouder, and I know he's proud of me, too."

Raising A Child With Diabetes

Ken Ellgen knows better than anyone what it's like to raise a child with diabetes.

When Ken first heard that his daughter Becky Fenton had diabetes, he and Susan were devastated.

I didn't know that much about diabetes, so when they said she had Type 1 diabetes, I didn't really know what that meant. We pushed really hard to get educated," he said.

As a parent, Ken and his wife still wanted Becky to live a normal social life.

"We wanted her to still be a kid and enjoy her youth," said Ellgen.

Ken got involved with fundraising by joining a group currently called the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The small group consisted mostly of parents who had one or more diabetic children.

At the time Ken joined, the Diabetes Rodeo was the biggest fundraiser event and involved an overwhelming amount of volunteers and work. It significantly got the message out about diabetes and involved multiple sponsors.

Ellgen also partnered with a co-worker who is an active runner and began a Diabetes Run, which had a significant turnout.

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