Dear Editor:

When I first heard that the federal government will fund clinical trials for CCSVI/MS in Canada I had a feeling of disbelief. The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) community is happy, but we are also cautiously optimistic and somewhat skeptical. We need details as to the size of the clinical trials, and as to when they are going to begin, and especially as to who is going to conduct these trials. Our worst fear is that these trials being conducted in MS Clinics under the purview of neurologists who have already labeled CCSVI as a hoax.

We already know the outcome of these trials. The rest of the world gathered the data while Canada was ignoring CCSVI/MS patients: One third of the people treated experience dramatic improvement, one third of those treated experience more moderate improvement, and one third of those treated remain relatively unchanged. Everyone experiences improved circulation, and the procedure is very safe. So, we want to see large numbers of people treated soon. Time is so very critical when it comes to MS, and so much time has already been wasted. We are thankful to those of our government officials: Randy Hillier MPP, Steve Clark MPP, Scott Reid MP, and Gord Brown MP among others who have presented petitions re: CCSVI to our governments numerous times over the past year and a half. Devoted advocate, Dr. Kirsty Duncan Liberal MP has attended seven International Conferences (speaking at two) regarding CCSVI over the past year, and we thank God for her. Liberal Senator, Jane Cordy presented a Private-Members-Bill to the Senate on June 26, 2011 before summer break.

We would like to thank everyone who continues to support us. There has been so much jargon to convince you not to do so. Some would have you believe that those of us who have been treated, and report the good results are some how mesmerized, under some kind of placebo effect. This is absurd, especially in light of the fact that we have been treated by many different physicians in many different places at many different times. Bare in mind, it is the autoimmune theory that has never been proven. Yet, this theory is the basis for the MS medications. Remember, the idea of the vascular connection to MS is not new. It has been re-visited for a very long time by different Physicians. But, Dr. Zamboni, motivated to help his wife who has MS, picked up this Vascular connection yet again, and voila.

Sincerely,

Judy Butcher

Jasper, Ontario

http://www.emcsmithsfalls.ca/20110707/editorials/CCSVI+trials+questioned