November 30th, 2011

We would like to update you on what has been happening at DIRECT-MS over the past year, to tell you about our future plans, and to thank you for your continued support.

This last year we concentrated on the major revolution in multiple sclerosis which has demonstrated that impaired venous drainage from the brain (CCSVI) is a significant part of the MS disease process. In terms of research, we focused our efforts on funding the researchers at the University of Buffalo who are investigating both the association of CCSVI with MS, and the value of using angioplasty for relieving CCSVI and improving MS symptoms. Their work has firmly established that CCSVI is strongly associated with MS.

Direct-MS was also very active on the advocacy front when it comes to ensuring that accurate information on CCSVI and MS was being provided by other researchers and by the media. Our widely circulated, detailed critique of the negative and erroneous Beaudet Report on the need for clinical research on CSSVI was very influential. Our critique helped to have the government reverse its decision and to bless the need for clinical a trial.

Direct-MS also funded Dr Terry Wahls’ innovative research on the value of intensive nutrition, progressive exercise, and neuromuscular stimulation for secondary progressive MS. A recent press release on this research noted that most of the participants showed notable improvement in terms of fatigue and some had significantly increased mobility. This research was a “hot topic” at a recent neurology conference.

In the coming year, Direct-MS will fund an expansion of the Wahls research which will double the number of participants. We will also be funding CCSVI research in Canada and we have let CCSVI researchers know that we are especially interested in helping to fund clinical research. We will also be continuing our strong advocacy program when it comes to both CCSVI and nutrition and MS.

If you wish to donate to Direct-MS, this can be done either through our website by clicking the “Donate Now” Button on the upper left side of the home page or by sending a cheque to Direct-MS, 5119 Brockington Rd NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2L 1R7. Direct-MS is a registered charity and a receipt for tax purposes will be issued promptly for both Canada and the USA.

Thank you very much for your ongoing and generous support for DIRECT-MS’s efforts which have allowed us to provide persons with MS with reliable, science-based information on multiple sclerosis and to fund highly relevant, research projects. We hope you see the value in such work and will continue to help us achieve our goals.

Please do not hesitate to contact us by email (info@direct-ms.org ), phone or letter if you have any questions about our research plans or the status of any of the initiatives we are undertaking.

All the best, 

Ashton Embry

President and Research Director