The Alan Thicke Centre was established in 1989 at the Robarts Research Institute at the London Health Sciences Centre. The Centre was named for actor Alan Thicke because of his early connection to London while attending The University of Western Ontario, and his special interest in diabetes, as he had a son who developed diabetes as a child.

The Centre, which is really a virtual Centre ( without walls), consists of a mass of dedicated, talented and creative scientists from the Lawson Health Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, The University of Western Ontario, Robarts Research Institute and the London Health Sciences Centre.   The work conducted by these scientists in search of a cure has gained national and international acclaim.   But as of yet the cure has not been found, further funds are required to move closer to end diabetes.   

All funds raised by the Centre are dispersed in London and are eligible to be supplemented by Federal Government grants.  (Make sure hyperlinks are correct)

Dr. David Hill is the scientific advisor for the Alan Thicke Centre

What is Juvenile Diabetes?

Juvenile diabetes is caused by destruction of the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas resulting in lifelong dependence on daily insulin injections. The condition known as insulin dependent diabetes carries a risk of developing the well known diabetic complications. Approximately one-third of all people with this type of diabetes develop these complications, affecting particularly the kidneys, eyes, nervous system, heart, and vascular system.

Approximately one person in twenty develops one form or the other of diabetes. Juvenile (Type 1) diabetes, while primarily developed in childhood or early adolescence, can strike at any age. Over 100,000 Canadians have juvenile diabetes and it is the most common chronic childhood disease in North America. Among people who have first-degree relatives with this type of diabetes, the risk of developing diabetes increases to one in seven.