A special honour for an Owen Sound man who has survived 50 years battling diabetes.
John Willok was honoured by the Canadian Diabetic Association and the Banting Estate Legacy foundation at a gala reception and dinner Wednesday July 2 in Alliston.
He says that fact he has managed to survive battling the disease is remarking considering the the health problems that can develop for a person with diabetes.
Willok says there are only about 500 people who have received this honour from the Association which he found out about through Bayshore Broadcasting in a conversation with Bob Banting, the great nephew of Sir Frederick Banting, the discoverer of insulin.
He says the highlight of the evening was meeting Canada’s health minister Tony Clement and members of the Banting family.
Willok also says he was given a personal tour of the Banting estate by Bob Banting which he admits was a very emotional experience.
He says he stood on the very spot where Sir Frederick Banting was born and in the barn where he did his experiments that resulted in the discovery of insulin.
Willok says as a result of the work of Banting he along with millions of other people around the world are still alive today.
He says in a sense, the Banting Estate is more of a shrine than a historical site considering how many lives have been saved by Sir Frederick’s discovery.
Willok says the Banting foundation now is working on restoring the farm to its original condition and turn it into a place for diabetic education.
