Discovery of Insulin/The Flame of Hope:

Sir Fredrick Banting’s birth anniversary is observed as World Diabetes Day onNovember 14every year as a tribute to the history behind the discovery of insulin, one of medicine’s greatest breakthrough; the eternal Flame of Hope burns in Canada tohonourBanting’s achievement

Discovery of Insulin:

1. Historical Context:
   Before the discovery of insulin, diabetes, especially Type 1 diabetes, was considered a fatal disease. Patients often succumbed to complications within a year or two after diagnosis due to the inability to regulate blood sugar levels.
2. Key Figures:
   • Frederick Banting: A Canadian physician who conceptualized the method to extract insulin.
   • Charles Best: A medical student who worked alongside Banting.
   • J.J.R. Macleod: Provided resources and guidance for the research at the University of Toronto.
   • James Collip: A biochemist who helped refine insulin for safe human use.
3. The Breakthrough (1921):
   • Banting and Best successfully isolated insulin from the pancreas of animals and demonstrated its ability to lower blood sugar in diabetic dogs.
   • In 1922, the first human was treated with insulin: Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy with Type 1 diabetes. The treatment was a remarkable success.
4. Nobel Prize (1923):
   Banting and Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Banting shared his prize money with Best, and Macleod shared his with Collip, recognizing their contributions.

The Flame of Hope:

1. Background:
   • The “Flame of Hope” is a symbol dedicated to the discovery of insulin and the ongoing global fight to find a cure for diabetes.
   • It was unveiled on July 7, 1989, in London, Ontario, Canada, near Banting House, known as the “birthplace of insulin.”
2. Design and Significance:
   • The Flame of Hope is a perpetually burning torch that honors the contributions of Banting and others who made the life-saving discovery possible.
   • It also serves as a beacon of hope for the millions of people living with diabetes and represents the continuous effort to find a cure.
3. Unique Legacy:
   • The flame will be extinguished only when a cure for diabetes is discovered, marking the end of the battle against the disease.

Impact of Insulin Discovery

• Transformed diabetes from a fatal condition to a manageable chronic illness.
• Insulin therapy has saved millions of lives and continues to be a cornerstone of diabetes management.
• Inspired further research into diabetes, leading to innovations like synthetic insulin, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring systems.

The discovery of insulin and the Flame of Hope symbolize the triumph of human ingenuity and the enduring hope for medical breakthroughs.