November 14 is World Diabetes Day, but did you know it also marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, the Canadian scientist who co-discovered insulin? To commemorate this day, Beyond Type 1 is trying to break the Guinness World Record for the most contributions to an e-greeting card (current record: 66,000 signatures) – it’ll be a party around the world and an opportunity to put diabetes in the spotlight and to celebrate our community. Anyone who signs the card can choose enter to win prizes! Go to bantingsbirthday.org to sign the card.

 In the meantime, some fun facts about Banting and the discovery of insulin:

• The first time Banting tried to join the Canadian Army during World War I, he was rejected due to poor eyesight (he joined later after completing a large part of his medical training).
• Insulin was first used effectively in dogs in 1921.
• In 1922, 14-year-old Leonard Thompson was the first person successfully treated with insulin.
• Banting and his colleagues sold the US patent on insulin to the University of Toronto for $1 each ($3 in total).
• Banting was an avid artist and once joined a painting expedition above the Arctic Circle.

Happy Birthday, Frederick Banting!

By Jeemin Kwon