Patients celebrate 50 years living with diabetes

St. Joseph’s annual Diabetes Half Century Awards coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Diabetes Education Centre.

London Ontario – Larry Fulton recalls the moment doctors told him he would likely not live past the age of 40. He was only 18-years-old at the time and had just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“Back then, the life expectancy for people living with diabetes was only around 20 years or so,” Larry recalls. “It was scary to hear that as a young man. It changed my life completely.”

Larry, now 70, has far outlived his initial grim prognosis and continues to live a full life. He will celebrate this achievement on Dec. 1 when he and other recipients of the 2023 Diabetes Half Century Awards gather at St. Joseph’s Hospital for a special awards ceremony.

Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes who reach 50 years since their diagnosis are nominated for the award by their endocrinologist. They are honoured for their personal commitment and diligence in looking after their health, and for acting as a role model to all those living with the condition. This year’s awards ceremony coincides with the 50th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Diabetes Education Centre (DEC), which was one of the first in Canada and a major milestone in the evolution of diabetes care in London.

Media are invited to this heart-warming celebration of personal perseverance and advances in care that have transformed the lives of patients over five decades:

• Hear from several patients marking a half century of living with diabetes. (Read Larry’s full story on St. Joseph’s website.)
• Learn about the earliest days of diabetes education from Dr. Wilson Rodger, the visionary physician who established the DEC in 1973.
• Discover the role of research in the evolution of diabetes care and education, and what the future holds

What: Diabetes Half Century Awards and 50th anniversary celebration of the Diabetes Education Centre
When: Dec. 1 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: St. Joseph’s Hospital, Shuttleworth Auditorium, Zone D, Level 0, Room D0-104

To confirm attendance, please contact: Allison Hansen, Communication Assistant
St. Joseph’s Health Care London
519 646-6100 ext. 61501, Cell: 519 933-4272
@email