Honourable McDonald,

I am writing to you to state the in the last few weeks I have met more than 30 Nova Scotians who have had treatment for CCSVI.

Last evening, I met with a group of MSers in Berwick, Nova Scotia, and between the 11 MS patients who have been treated, we have had MS for a combined total of more than 150 years. I saw many years of suffering dissipate in a message of hope as each one of the people who were treated for CCSVI told their personal story to all in attendance.

I was witness to people getting better. I shed tears as I saw a friend walk for the first time – she has been confined to a wheelchair since 1990. I saw others who no longer needed their canes or other walking devices. I saw a woman raise her arm above her head after years of being unable to do this. I heard stories of people who no longer battle with the crushing fatigue that is so prevalent in MS sufferers. Many are professional people who worked as tax-paying citizens of their province only to be spend their life fortunes to seek treatment that is refused in Nova Scotia.

I met a group of Nova Scotians outside the NS legislature on May 5; there were 22 of us who had had the treatment. In Berwick there were 11 of us. I have never heard a Nova Scotian who had treatment for CCSVI say they regret it, though I have personally spoken with dozens of them.

For the first time in the existence of MS, we are hearing stories of hope and improved quality of life - even for those who have progressive forms of the disease. Mr Tim Donovan (www.newhopeforms.ca) has embarked on a cross-country journey for MS sufferers to share their stories of hope. He has already been through Newfoundland, and is making a total of 8 stops in Nova Scotia. I know that Tim would be honoured for you to attend the Halifax information session on Saturday, May 28 at St. Mark`s Community Centre, 5522 Russell Street, Halifax at 1:30 p.m.

Sincerely and respectfully submitted,

Christopher Alkenbrack

Wolfville, Nova Scotia