It seems that everyone knows of at least one person living with diabetes. Maybe you’re dealing with it yourself.

Thanks to insulin, those coping with diabetes today are better able to lead long and productive lives. That wasn’t always the case. In fact, there was a time before the invention of insulin that diabetes was nothing short of a death sentence for many.

But 90 years ago this year — on Oct. 31, 1920, at approximately 2 a.m. — Dr. Frederick Banting awoke from a restless sleep with one of the all-time greatest “eureka” moments. In this modest home in London, Ontario — now known as the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada — Dr. Banting came up with one of the greatest medical discoveries of all time. That discovery was insulin.

Visitors to Banting House, located at 442 Adelaide St. N., are often brought to tears simply by entering the bedroom or touching the bed once occupied by Dr. Banting. After all, his discovery has saved countless lives around the globe. 

Along the walkway in front of Banting House, visitors are drawn to the eternal flame lit by the Queen Mother herself on July 7, 1989. The flame will not be extinguished until a cure for diabetes is finally discovered.

Dr. Banting, a decorated war hero, died in 1941 at the age of 49 while flying to England on a secret mission. Was it pilot error or sabotage? That's still being debated nearly 70 years later.

For details on the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada, upcoming events or to plan a visit, please call (519) 673-1752, e-mail banting@diabetes.ca or visit www.diabetes.ca. 

And don’t miss Banting House’s newest exhibit, “Stamping Out Diabetes,” tentatively scheduled to debut in March 2010.

(Copy courtesy of Joe Kirchmyer/Kirchmyer Media, and Banting House. Joe can be reached at jkirchmyer@verizon.net.)

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