More than 11 million Canadians are currently living with diabetes or a precursor to diabetes, also called prediabetes. For these people complications due to diabetes are a significant health concern. It is the hope that new discoveries and therapy developments will change the lives of those living with the condition.
Dr. Gary Lewis, senior scientist at UHN, Drucker Family Chair in Diabetes Research, and Principal Investigator of Diabetes Action Canada, one of the chronic disease networks funded through the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Initiative, is pursuing multi-faceted efforts to learn more about complications due to diabetes and how to better serve vulnerable patient groups.
The Lewis lab has had a long-standing interest in a prevalent diabetes complication affecting many people living with Type 2 diabetes, called diabetic dyslipidemia. This is a complication where there are abnormal levels of fatty molecules, also called lipids, in the blood.
Left untreated, diabetic dyslipidemia could lead to cardiac complications including cardiovascular disease. Most adults with diabetes are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke.
These sorts of research endeavors are impossible without donor support. In 2023, due to a deep respect and commitment to the research leadership of Dr. Lewis, two donors came together to support this research. Mr. Henry Wolfond, UHN Foundation Board Member and entrepreneur, and Mr. John Lederer, recent recipient of the Order of Canada, each made a generous gift of $1 million each to support this critical work of Dr. Lewis.
Both Mr. Lederer and Mr. Wolfond’s commitment open a door for new discoveries, allowing Dr. Lewis to dedicate his time in the pursuit of his research goals – including greater understanding of and improved treatment for diabetic dyslipidemia. The hope is that this work could lead to the development of new therapies, targeting the correction of these lipids levels and reduce the risk of cardiac events for patients living with diabetes.
No one ever changed the world on their own but when the bright minds at UHN work together with donors we can redefine the world of health care together.
