Has the discovery of insulin and diabetes affected your life somehow? We invite you to come into Banting House and leave a “Dear Dr. Banting” note in his bedroom. People leave messages from all over the worlds in all different languages, alphabets, and scripts. Every week we highlight these messages on Twitter and Facebook.
If you can’t make it in, but want to share your thoughts anyway, please feel free to do so by leaving a message in the comments section below. We, on behalf of Dr. Banting, look forward to hearing from you.
There is no obligation to leave any identifying information, but we’d love to know who you are and where you’re writing from.
Dear Dr. Banting,
Thank you for all you have done. You were the best person ever. If you hadn’t discoverd insulin, some of my family would likely be dead. I know this isn’t long, but thank you.
Sincerely,
Alexis
Never forget Charles Best. Banting and Best co-discovered Insulin.
Dear Dr Banting,
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the work you did all those years ago to save lives like mine. I have been diabetic for 15 years (diagnosed age 10 with T1), but I am living a full and happy life thanks to the gift of insulin. I am lucky enough to have an insulin pump, and my life is as close to normal as it is possible to get with this disease. If not for you, I would not have made it to my 11th birthday, and my family would be grieving. Instead, I have pursued my passion for music and writing in university, begun a new life in Ireland, and I am getting married this month.
This disease is a struggle every day, but it hasn’t stopped me from pursuing my dreams. Thanks to you, and the thousands of diabetes researchers and care teams around the world, people like me can live healthier lives than ever.
On behalf of every diabetic, happy birthday Dr. Banting, and thank you to all of the researchers and care teams who continue your pioneering work every day. Words are not enough.
I hope to visit Banting House when I’m back in Ontario for my best friend’s wedding in October.
With love and respect,
Megan, a Canuck abroad
Dear Dr. Banting, no words can describe how important your discovery really was. Because of you I am living a happy and more importantly a healthy life and I plan to do so for many many years or until a cure is found. I am currently a junior at the University of Pittsburgh studying Exercise Science and I hope to get involved in Pitt’s diabetes research. Also I am the Education/Research Director for the University of Pittsburgh CDN chapter. (college diabetes network) I would really love to come to Canada and see where insulin, aka my lifeline, was discovered some day!
Sincerely, Brittney!
Dr.Banting I will never be able to find words enough to thank you for saving my son’s
life when he became diabetic at 2 years of age. At that time I had no idea that young
children could become type1 diabetics, and was distraught. However I soon learnt
about the wonderful Dr.Banting and his team and their amazing efforts culminating
in the discovery of insulin. My son is now 42 years old, a fine successful young man,
who has brought love, joy and happiness into so many lives. I think of you very often
Dr.Banting, and will be forever grateful to you for saving my son’s life, and of course all the other millions of lives you have saved.
Dr.Banting I will never be able to find words enough to thank you for saving my son’s
life when he became diabetic at 2 years of age. At that time I had no idea that young
children could become type 1 diabetics, and was distraught. However I soon learnt about the wonderful Dr.Banting and his team and their amazing efforts culminating
in the discovery of insulin. My son is now 42 years old, a fine successful young man
who has brought love joy and happiness into so many lives. I think of you often
Dr. Banting, and will be forever grateful to you for saving my son’s life, and of course
all the other millions of people whose lives you saved.
Dear Dr. Banting,
Thank you – and your team – so much for the discovery of insulin. I have been living with Type 1 for 31 years, I have a great career, am married and have two beautiful kids. Without your discovery, my whole life would not have happened. So many lives would not have happened. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts and for giving life back to so many people.
Dear Dr. Banting, My son was diagnosed in July 2015. When first diagnosed, he was in hospital overnight then back at home playing with friends and getting on with his beautiful, blessed life. This is because of you! No words can express my gratitude. I recently read an article stating that less than 100 years ago, children dying from diabetic ketoacidosis were kept in wards, often 50 or more children in a ward, mostly comatose. Grieving family awaiting the inevitable. We have come from death sentence to living a long and fulfilling life in such a short time. Thank you. Forever grateful, Barbara
Dear Dr. Banting,
We just had cake to celebrate your birthday- because we can!!! Thank you for your hard work you changed my life and the world!
Thank you,
Jess 11 years old
Dear Mr. Banting,
Thank you for permitting me to enjoy a full and happy life. Without your discovery I wouldn’t be here today and for this reason I would like to celebrate the day toasting with you. I was diagnosed when I was 8 months of life and I am 34 now. I have been living all my life with this condition and although sometimes the way becomes really tough, we could reach everything working hard.
Congratulations from Barcelona, Spain.
“Dear Dr. Banting,
Thank you for putting all you had to help so many people, my family included. I [would’ve] been proud to know you.” – Andrea Vander Pluym
“Dear Dr. Banting,
Thank you for your hard work, perseverance, and ultimate discovery. Without insulin I wouldn’t be here today to celebrate your 122nd birthday!
Love and respect, Denny”
November 14th, 2013
“Your discovery was and still is amazing. You have inspired and saved so many. Thank you. Megan S. Blum”
“Thank you Dr. Banting for never giving up! You have inspired millions. My dad is diabetic so this means a lot to me and my family 🙂 Thank You! Sincerely, Brittany M-S.”
“Dear Dr. Banting, A lifetime of thank-you’s will never be enough. Because of you, I have the chance to live a long & meaningful life full of love & laughter. T1 for 18 years – Erika Clark.”
Dear Dr. Banting, Never has one person affected my family’s life like you have. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 28 years and my daughter for 12 years. My sister was just diagnosed 6 months ago at the age of 42 (type 1). We were fortunate to visit the Banting House when my daughter was just diagnosed. Your staff was exceptional and let us sit on your bed where you had the dream of discovering insulin. I cried. If not for you, life would not be possible. My daughter will be attending medical school as she just graduated from U of M. I became a diabetes educator and volunteered many times at the kids camp. I actually met the first diabetic Miss America and the Olympic swimmer with diabetes. We marched in Washington to support diabetes research. This we do for you! Forever grateful and inspired. I live in Michigan but so very proud to be Canadian. Thank you, thank you.
Dear Brittney,
You definitely have to make this trip! There are no words to express the feeling of being there. With out Dr Banting there would be no us. Type 1 diabetes runs through our family. Myself , my daughter and my sister all have it. The people who run this place are all type 1 diabetics. I can not say any more positive things. If I lived closer , I would definitely be a volunteer! Make that trip!
Thank you for the gift of insulin. Thank you for the gift of my child’s life. ‘reborn’ via insulin after diagnosis with T1 diabetes at age 12, she is now an advocate for and tireless worker with people with all types of diabetes. She started http://www.diabetescounselling.com.au and now works across all Social media, helping thousands of people every day.
I would so love to visit Banting House – perhaps when I retire. My son Sean is 23 today and currently in Vancouver doing voluntary work. He was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 14 months old and if it hadn’t been for insulin he would have died. Every birthday I think of Banting and his colleagues who have through their efforts ensured millions like Sean will live long and healthy lives.
Dear Dr. Banting, Thank you for insulin because I have T1 diabetes. I am 11 and I got it when I was 9. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here today and I like to play hockey and I want to be like Bobby Clarke and Cory Conacher who also have T1 diabetes.
Thank you
Thank you Mr Banting for saving my sons life, your amazing discovery has gave him a future to live without your discovery we would not have him here,I cannot express how much it means to me. A truly amazing man xxxx
Dear Dr Banting, Thank you for the gift of life and insulin. 31 years ago I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Because of your work, I am a mother and a diabetes educator teaching other kids how to live with Type 1 diabetes.
Dear Dr. Banting, your work has saved countless lives! One of those live was my son William. He was diagnoded wiyh type 1 diabetes in Sept. 2010. Because of your hard work my son is healthy and happy on insulin today. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
Thanking you from the bottom of my heart for your discovery of insulin. I’m a mother of a Type 1 diabetic who was diagnosed at the age of 8. You have made it possible for us to appreciate the joys of being a parent of a son who is here with us today because of your discovery…Wish you were here now to help find us the that cure that needed so badly. Sincerely, Mrs C MIner