I know I’m straying off topic here but just wanted to ask if you got your Joslin medal? You can apply for one if you have lived with diabetes for 25 years or more. The medals are quite impressive!
Hi Dorie,
Yes I received my 50 year medal in April at a beautiful ceremony at the Joslin center. It gave us the opportunity to spend a few days in Boston, which was fun ! It also allowed me to meet many other long-term T1Ds in person- which was invaluable!
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Yes, and I agree that the medals certainly are impressive - the bronze, the silver, and the gold and the 25 years paper certificate was certainly impressive in 1948 when Dr. Elliott Joslin, founder in 1898 of the Joslin Clinic, found a few people who had lived as long as 25 years as insulin dependent. We certainly have come a long, long way!
But more impressive than the wonderful medals is the information gathered from the living bodies of Medalists to help diabetes researchers in their studies to develop and teach all people with diabetes to live long and healthy lives.
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Thank you to the @moderators for re-assigning comments that stray off topic (cough cough😊). It’s very helpful, and as a guilty party I appreciate your efforts and your work.
Happy holidays all!
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My sister and I are at 53 yrs now - 54 yrs in April 2024. But we’re Canadian so maybe they only want Americans. 
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Welcome to the forum! According to the website Medalist Program at Joslin Diabetes Center Joslin has recipients around the world - I encourage you to check it out! There is a link on the page to get the application - if formal records are not available (as was the case for me 50+ years later) you can submit statements from people who knew you at the time.
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Thank you so much for that info! I do appreciate it a lot. It’s my sister and I who became T1D in 1971 but our other 2 siblings did not. Interesting it happened
6-months after we all had the flu.
I will look on the website and see how to apply. Thanks again Dorie! @wadawabbit 
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@Shecamp Welcome SA to the JDRF TypeOneNation Community Forum!
As Dorie said, the Joslin, just like this Forum, welcomes members from all over the world. Our focus is “diabetes oriented” rather than ethnic or nationality. Here we welcome your thoughts, your experiences with diabetes, and urge you to read posts whenever you can and if moved, offer your tips and suggestions based on what you may have learned during your many years / decades living with diabetes.
Invite your sister to also drop in here.
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I find it encouraging that there are 90 people in the program who have lived with T1 for 75 years. When I was diagnosed in '69, the doctor told my mom I should live to be at least 25! Good stuff.
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And they’ve had to institute an 85-year medal, haven’t they? I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a 100-year medal isn’t available by 2030 or so.
—Keith
50-yer Medalist (12 years ago)
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K eith @khjalmarj, the Gold Medal is awarded for 80 years living insulin dependent and last count I’ve seen is that 17 have been awarded.
I don’t think I’ll be able to hang on long enough for me to get the Gold but, I’m hoping to qualify for the Silver for 75 years and have it draped over my shoulders on my 91st birthday.
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@Dennis - FWIW, my mom lived to 94 and I had a great aunt on my dad’s side who lived to 111!(!), so if you can make it to the 75 year metal you may well make it to 80. I hope to be around to read your announcement!
In the meantime, it’s not just the years in your life but the life in your years and it’s always nice to read that yours are going well.
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Congrats to those with and qualifying for Joslin medals!! I’m both happy and sad that I’ll not likely ever qualify. On the good side, I was dx’d late in life at 66, so little chance of qualifying. On the sad side, I’ve been called a “badge grabber” (getting about any recognition award available). Glad others are getting recognized for beating back the dragon!
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Yes, I got my 50 year medal last year (2022). I had to ask for it, as it got to be June (I was diagnosed in July) and I had not heard anything from Joslin. So I reached out to them and asked, as I had submitted my paperwork and hospital records 3-4 years prior. It took a couple calls, but they finally responded with “Oh yeah, I guess we do have your info and your are due for a medal. Here you go.” I got the medal & certificate in the mail.
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I was diagnosed with T1D at age 70.
I am planning to qualify for the 50 year medal. I just need to live to age 120.
I run a dog rescue organization. I cannot afford to die any time soon. There are so many dogs who need help.
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@schnauzer1 You’re right! I should have such a goal! I should re-think my priorities!
@schnauzer1 @Tlholz don’t forget, there’s a 25 year award as well - something to keep you encouraged and satiated along the way.
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In March will be my 50 year being a Juvenile/T1d. I have the paperwork printed and need to call the hospital to get my records sent to me. Hoping I can get everything I need. I was 8 when I was diagnosed.
You can also submit statements from people who knew you at the time, or from your current endo - See the “Alternate documentation” section: https://joslin-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/www.joslin.org/assets/2020-09/medalist-application-2020-editable.pdf
My cousin wrote a statement for me and my endo write a letter as well.
@wadawabbit Good point! Methinks at 69 a 25 year pin is much more doable than 50!! Interestingly, we at our small/rural WV mountain community (we own a very small log cabin there) yesterday for a memorial service for an owner who died recently (leukemia returned). I was reminded by several of the other owners I was just a youngster in the age game of our little group!