The William Singeris National Centre for Myotonic Dystrophy was officially opened Monday December 20 2004 with a commitment of $ 237,700.00 over five years by Phil and Megan Singeris and their family of supporters. Inspired by their 2 year old son William who has Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy, Phil and Megan wanted to do something to help others suffering from this little known disease. A fundraising gala was held in April 2004 with the goal of raising $30,000.00. When the final results came in, the astonishing total of over $60,000.00 was realized! The Centre based in London at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Children's Health Research Institute will for the first time in Canada, document and track all children born in Canada with Myotonic Dystrophy and follow their development and treatments for five to ten years.This data will not only form a critical foundation for development and testing of treatments that could eventually lead to a cure, but will also provide much needed information to parents and prospective parents of children with this disease to help base family decisions on more solid facts. Led by Dr. Craig Cambell, Paediatrician at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Associate Scientist, Children's Health Research Institute, the research process has already begun. "Information and questionnaires will be sent to every paediatrician in Canada each month asking for reports on any child with Myotonic Dystrophy," said Dr. Campbell. "In addition to medical information and annual development testing, we will look at quality of life measures for both the child and family. The Child Health and Well- being Program at Children's Health Research Institute has one of the best known research groups in Canada to study such impact on children and their families". Thank you to Phil, Megan, Stephanie and especially William Singeris for an amazing gift to children all over Canada!