Source: Hossain et al. NEJM 2007 (million people)

Happy world diabetes day!!

We celebrate Today, World diabetes day because it corresponds with the birthday of one Frederick Grant Banting, the man credited with the discovery of Insulin some 80 years ago. If it wasn’t for his discovery, I would probably not be alive today.

We also celebrate World diabetes day thanks to the International diabetes federation which founded the event and helps mark it around the globe.

Personally, I commemorate this day by reflecting on many of the issues affecting me personally and many other people affected by diabetes and this year  I cant help but look at that ever elusive  diabetes cure.

As the world falls hopelessly into a diabetes epidemic of magnanimous proportions If you were to listen to the pundits, never had a diabetes cure been more of a necessity than it is today.

Yet beyond a laboratory petri dish and your proverbial mouse we are that far away from a diabetes cure.

I would not in all good conscience point a finger at anyone except big pharma of course, They are easy fodder for their bottom line priorities and cliche’ but true perceptions of such statements like, “There is no money in a diabetes cure.”

I know there are some very smart people who spend their waking moments researching diabetes cures and I applaud them for that, I just wish that they would work just a little faster.

I understand finding a cure is a money game and without the necessary funding, a diabetes cure might as well be lumped in with other chronic disease cures like  breast cancer cures or lupus cures, It is simply not going to happen.

The cost of a cure is undoubtedly much more expensive than the proverbial next generation gadget, pump, or insulin delivery system. Clinical triasl alone could run into the millions of dollars.

So to those of you helping us celebrate this day, please remember that above all we are all working towards a cure and we would appreciate a little monetary support as well.

Find a diabetes cure related cause and contribute

• JDRF
• American diabetes association
• IDF