The Medal

The 50-Year Medal

The Joslin Medalist Program at Harvard University began awarding 25-year medals to people with type 1 diabetes in 1948 and 50-year medals in 1970. This program has honored over 2905 people world-wide with 50-year medals since then. After the first British citizen, Alan Nabarro, was awarded a 50-year Joslin medal in 1973, Diabetes UK created a 50-year medal of the same name. Closely following this, Diabetes Australia developed the Kellion Victory Medal in 1984.

In 2013, the Joslin Medalist Program partnered with our team of Diabetes Longevity researchers at the University of Toronto in order to facilitate the distribution of 50-year medals to Canadians with longstanding type 1 diabetes.

How To Receive Your Medal

If you are interested in receiving a 50-year medal you will need to fill out a Joslin Medalist Application form and provide proof of your type 1 diabetes diagnosis date in the form of the following documents:

A copy of your diagnosis records,
OR 2-3 letters from family members and/or close friends who can attest to the date of your diagnosis and the duration of your diabetes,
OR a medical note from your current doctor,
OR proof of attendance at a diabetes camp or related activity.

Feel free to contact us so we can provide you with an application form and help you through the process.

Please note: The medalist program and database is run by the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, MA. You may apply for a medal directly at Joslin or through our program. Despite awarding the same medal and our cooperation with the Joslin program, our initiative and database is run in Canada and only information necessary for receipt of a medal will be shared with the US program. If you would like to be removed from the database please contact us. You do not need to participate in the Diabetes Longevity research study in order to receive your medal.