100 Years of Insulin, Part 2

Internationally, Banting and Best are regarded as the discoverers of insulin, as we can see on the Uruguayan FDC below regarding the 50th anniversary of insulin.   Naturally, '100 Years of Insulin' cannot be missing from philately either. Several countries are issuing a stamp about it this year. I will show you the stamps from Belgium, Switzerland, and (naturally) Canada. [One_half][/one_half]   [one_half_last][/ One_half_last]     World Diabetes Day World Diabetes Day is a global campaign that has been organized annually on November 14 since 1991 and is entirely dedicated to diabetes mellitus. I will show you two stamps related to this. On the Uruguay stamp, we see a blue circle in the bottom right. That is the symbol for diabetes, introduced by the International Diabetes Federation with the aim of giving diabetes a common identity worldwide.[/one_half] [one_half_last][/ One_half_last]   Diabetes Associations Providing information about diabetes is often done by diabetes associations. In the Netherlands, this is the DVN (Diabetes Association Netherlands). In the US, one can consult www.niddk.nih.gov, as we can see on the 'know more about Diabetes' tab of this stamp.   Congresses International congresses on diabetes are organized with some regularity to share knowledge. Austria is a country where many congresses are always held, and the Austrian Postal Service regularly draws attention to this with a stamp issue. This was also the case for the 10th World Congress on Diabetes in 1979. Message on the stamp: Diabetes is also bad for the eyes.   Awareness and prevention Diabetes associations also raise awareness about the dangers of diabetes. And to prevent diabetes, they recommend a healthy lifestyle. This includes 'exercise' and plenty of 'fruits and vegetables', as we can see on the stamps below.[/one_half] [one_half_last][/ One_half_last]   Closing In recent years, more and more has become known about diabetes. However, there is still a great deal that is unknown, including its causes. Funding is needed to investigate this further. That is why I am concluding this blog with the postage stamp below: 'Give for Diabetes'. The logo of the Diabetes Fund is a stylized hummingbird. This bird is the international symbol for scientific research into diabetes. Image source: www.topicalcovers.com More info: www.diabetesfonds.nl and https://www.dvn.nl/

5 comments

  1. Extensive information about the discovery of insulin's mechanism of action can be found on the Canadian Post website. A very interesting article.
    The treatment hasn't actually changed in 100 years, but the method of administration and the way side effects are treated have improved enormously. I shudder to think how it all went about seventy years ago. Now I measure my glucose level with a sensor and inject with a pen almost painlessly. I could write a book about how things were done about fifty years ago. Enormous progress. Great article, and the subject is worth paying attention to, Willem!

  2. '@ Jos: my wife has type 2 diabetes and is now using a sensor too. That is a huge improvement. Hypos and hypers, we have experienced it all in the Hogendoorn household. But I couldn't find any stamps about that, or I should have chosen an ambulance stamp, which we have also experienced. But I found that a bit too intense to include in the blog.

  3. @Willem, I have had type 1 diabetes for 57 years. For about 55 of those years, I was in the dark regarding glucose levels. Back then, you basically just winged it, and the hypo would come naturally. That sensor actually deserves a stamp, because it is a fantastic invention. I do notice that your freedom is more limited; you take fewer risks, forced by the device. But anyway, thanks to insulin, I am still walking around and can visit the stamp club!

  4. Another good story, Willem. I have a son-in-law with type 1. So he (and my daughter) know all about it. Things are going flawlessly these days (as described by Jos van den Bosch). I myself have had type 2 for several years, but I can keep it well under control with metformin pills.

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