Sir Frederick G. Banting Square
Banting House National Historic Site
Sir Frederick G. Banting Square, adjacent
to the Banting House National Historic Site, is highlighted
by two features: a statue of Frederick Banting and the Flame
of Hope.
Statue of Dr. Frederick Banting
Banting House National Historic Site Collection
The life-size statue of this famous Canadian,
was commissioned by the London & District Branch of the Canadian
Diabetes Association in 1988. The statue depicts him a the approximate
age of 30, shortly after the discovery of insulin, and is the
focal point of Sir Frederick G. Banting Square.
Statue unveiling, 1989
Banting House National Historic Site Collection
Preparing to kindle the Flame of Hope, 1989
Banting House National Historic Site Collection
On July 7, 1989, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Mother kindled the Flame of Hope before 4,000 spectators.
Her Majesty was escorted by The Honourable Judge John M. Seneshen,
originator of the Flame of Hope and the late Colonel Tom Lawson,
who helped found Banting House. This symbol of hope burns for
all those with diabetes that a cure will soon be found. It is
also recognized as a tribute to Dr. Banting's unrelenting pursuit
of insulin; to the lives already lost to the disease; and to
the continuing perseverance of those who live with diabetes
today.
The Flame of Hope
Banting House National Historic Site Collection
While the Flame of Hope is a symbol of
hope, it is also a reminder that insulin is only a control for
diabetes, not a cure. Only when that cure is at last found,
will the Flame of Hope be extinguished.
Plaque on the Flame of Hope
Banting House National Historic Site Collection