November 14, 2022
Today is World Diabetes Day.
A reminder that diabetes does not discriminate.
A reminder that diabetes happens in all corners of the world.
A reminder that diabetes affects all ages.
A reminder that diabetes affects all genders.
A reminder that diabetes affects all social economic statuses.
A reminder that diabetes exists.
World Diabetes day is every year on November 14 which is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
Prior to 1922, half of the people who received a diabetes diagnosis died within 2 years and more than 90% were dead within 5 years.
100 years ago, insulin was discovered.
100 years ago, insulin was first used to treat a person with diabetes.
100 years ago, insulin transformed the treatment of diabetes.
For the past 100 years, millions of people have been able to live life to the fullest.
The discoverers sold the patent for $1 each so it could be accessible to all.
Since the 1990s, the cost of insulin has increased over 1,200%.
https://www.t1international.com/usa/
When I did not have insurance, one vial of Humalog insulin cost me $300.00 USD (I live in Southern California in Los Angeles County for reference as insulin costs vary across states and countries).
One vial lasts me about 2 weeks. So if I weren’t able to afford insurance or get insurance, I would be paying about $600 USD per month.
For one year of insulin, I would have to pay about $7,200 USD
Next month (December), marks my 3rd anniversary with Type 1 Diabetes.
If I didn’t have insurance the past 3 years, I would have paid about $21,600 USD.
The $21,600 would NOT have included my primary care doctor visits, lab work that should be done every 3 months, my visit to the endocrinologist, the supplies I need to give myself insulin (either an insulin pen or insulin pump (which requires more supplies), my supplies for my meter (lancets, test strips), or glucose tablets/foods to help increase low blood sugars.
Living with diabetes is costly, in every sense of the word. There are many people who ration their insulin because they can’t afford to pay it and many have died because of it.
The cost of production for a vial of insulin averages to about $4.93 USD
Bringing awareness to diabetes is important to me and as I continue to learn more about my chronic illness, it is saddening learning about the hard and dark truths.
I am beyond grateful for having a good paying job, for having insurance, for living in a city that has primary care doctors and endocrinologists, for living in a city that has a pharmacy nearby, for having access to the resources I need to not only survive, but to thrive.
I don’t take what I have for granted and my heart breaks for those who have to ration their insulin, for those who live in underdeveloped countries, for those who don’t have insurance, for those who don’t have access to the care they need to live.
#insulin4all
Living with Dianabetes 