Elixir (17 page)

“Of course there's so much more work to do before we dare to test it on a person,” Mr. Best said.

“He's right, but I'm certain that what has happened tonight will save the lives of tens of thousand of people around the world,” Dr. Banting said, smiling broadly. “Ruthie, you were here.… You saw it with your own eyes.… I believe we have defeated diabetes.”

AFTERWORD

B
EFORE
1921 diabetes was a death sentence. The sufferers, typically children and adults under thirty, had constant thirst and appetite but wasted away when they could not process their food. Those suffering from diabetes eventually fell into a coma and died, frequently within months of the diagnosis.

Dr. Frederick Grant Banting and his assistant, Charles Herbert Best, made their amazing discovery at the University of Toronto in the summer of 1921. Dr. J.B. Collip, a biochemist, and J.J.R. Macleod, a professor of physiology who authorized Banting's work, contributed to the process of purifying the secretion they called insulin.

The first human tests were conducted on Leonard Thompson in early 1922 with incredible success. People around the world, many literally on their deathbeds, made miraculous recoveries. Within weeks, thousands of lives were saved worldwide.

As a result of their discovery, Fred Banting and John Macleod were awarded the 1923 Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine. True to his word, Banting refused to accept this award without acknowledging Charles Best's vital role in the discovery. He split his share of the prize money with Best. Later Dr. Banting was knighted, becoming Sir Frederick Banting.

Charles Best went on to complete his medical studies, receiving doctorates in both medicine and physiology. He became a professor at the University of Toronto and, along with Banting, was the director of the Banting and Best Institute, where his work led to other medical discoveries.

Dr. Banting continued to devote his life to lecturing and to fostering Canadian research in many different areas. His love of art, sketching, and oil painting resulted in numerous trips to the Canadian wilderness, where he painted with members of The Group of Seven. Tragically, his life was cut short when he was killed in an airplane crash in Newfoundland on February 21, 1941. He was on his way to England, serving his country by trying to save lives in World War II.

Although the discovery of insulin was not a cure for diabetes, it was the start of a treatment process that would turn a fatal disease into a controllable medical condition, allowing those afflicted to lead fairly normal, full lives. Today, more than eighty years after its discovery, insulin remains the treatment used by millions of people around the world. It has saved an estimated thirty million lives and is considered one of the greatest medical discoveries of all time.

Dr. Banting was a medical visionary, an artist, a humanitarian, a war hero, a man who cared deeply for his family, and a truly great Canadian. I hope this book will help young people become more aware of this remarkable man—someone we should all feel proud of.

More information about Dr. Banting, Charles Best, Bert Collip, and John Macleod can be found at
www.discoveryofinsulin.com
.

Eric Walters

December 2004

NOTE FROM THE SIR FREDERICK BANTING EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE

O
N NOVEMBER
14, 1891, Major (Doctor) Sir Frederick Grant Banting was born on a farm near Alliston, Ontario. The Banting homestead, called Ballyfin, reflecting the Banting family roots in Ireland, contains about a hundred acres of the most fertile soil in the South Simcoe County. And as Fred Banting grew up, the farm prospered.

The knowledge and work habits that Banting developed in his early years stood him in good stead. At one point William, Fred's father, encouraged his sons to determine why some of their cattle had died. What Banting learned would later help him produce insulin from the pancreas of an unborn calf. When he discovered the miracle drug, he wasn't being paid, so his father and older brother loaned him money from the farm's income to continue his research.

The Banting homestead remained in the family for many years, and on September 14, 1975, a cairn was erected there. The South Simcoe Historical Association, with assistance from Essa Township, established the permanent memorial. The cairn—a huge, five-ton granite ball symbolizing the enormous impact the discovery of insulin had on the world—holds a small bronze plaque with a picture of the old farmhouse where Fred was born. The plaque beside the large stone ball bears this inscription:

BIRTHPLACE OF SIR FREDERICK BANTING

Frederick Grant Banting, discoverer of insulin, was born November 14, 1891, on the original Banting homestead immediately behind this Cairn. In this quiet rural environment he gained a deep understanding of the ways of nature. From his parents he learned inquisitiveness, resourcefulness, persistence, sincerity and true godliness. Always fond of dogs during his boyhood, Dr. Banting was later to experiment with these animals in the discovery of insulin. Life and hope resulted for diabetics around the world. Died February 21st, 1941, in Newfoundland. Erected with the assistance of Essa Township. Simcoe County Historical Association, 1975.

People from all parts of the world visit this site. Many are diabetic persons on a quest to see the birthplace of the discoverer of insulin. They want to be near the spot where Fred Banting was born. Fred's idea, and the resulting discovery of insulin, is the reason they are alive.

The last Banting to own the property was Edward Banting, Fred's nephew. He was a full-time farmer and a part-time Banting historian and genealogist. Edward donated his farm to the Ontario Historical Society so that it could be turned into an historical site.

Among other activities, the Sir Frederick Banting Educational Committee has mounted successful Sir Frederick Banting Days (with lectures, exhibits, and a banquet) each November in Alliston for the past nine years. The Committee wishes to preserve the historic Banting homestead and farm for the benefit of all Canadians in the future. In this endeavour it has the support of a large number of Alliston citizens, several MPPs and MPs, close Banting family members and relatives, and many people and organizations who are interested in Fred Banting's legacy and who hope to beat diabetes.

To this end, the Sir Frederick Banting Educational Committee is working toward the establishment of a not-for-profit charitable organization that will be called the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation.

Our goal is to raise funds for the repair, restoration, and maintenance of the Banting homestead and outbuildings so that they may be used as a focal point for historical research and dissemination of information about Banting and about diabetes and related medical conditions. Eventually, the homestead will serve as a summer camp for young people with diabetes so that together they may learn to adapt to living with their disease. If you would like to help the Committee achieve its goals, please contact us at
[email protected]
.

The Sir Frederick Banting Educational Committee December 2004