Those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are holding out hope that a new treatment — not yet available in Canada — is the key to unlocking a new lease on life.

Tim Donovan is on a national tour speaking about the liberation treatment that he received last year in Albany, NY.

“I got so much better and I started telling people,” he said. “People just kept asking questions so I started travelling out of my home tow.”

Donovan said the treatment was simple.

“It’s not much different than heart angioplasty,’ he explained. “They open up the veins. The blood started flowing and I immediately got better.”

Donovan loves to share his story and to talk about the new hope for people living with MS.

Walking with a limp, he greeted everyone gathered at the George Bothwell branch with a smile, on Friday.

Donovan’s sunny demeanour was brighter than the yellow “hope” T-shirt he and others in the audience wore at the information session.

He’s happy at what he’s able to do, and not what he’s not able to do.

Donovan was first diagnosed with MS 25 years ago and the disease took a toll on his body and mind.

Since receiving the treatment, he can walk without support and speak easily.

“I used to speak like I was looking for my words,” he demonstrated his speech by speaking very slowly.

He began his national tour on May 5, and has visited 50 cities in Canada.

Donovan expects to make five or six stops more stops before winding up his tour.

“The goal is to get the CCSVI (Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency) treatment in Canada now — that’s our goal,” he said.

The treatment provides people with a real treatment and not just through medication, said Donovan.

“If there was ever a time for someone to be diagnosed with MS, it’s right now,” he said. “Because now we have some hope. Where before anyone diagnosed with MS had very little.”

Lori Lumax co-ordinated the Regina event because as a person living with MS she believes it’s important to share good news like Donovan’s experience.

She said the event was extra special for her.

“I have spoke with (Donovan) numerous times for over a year now,” said Lumax. “So, I’ve known him for a little while now but it’s great to meet him face-to-face.”

The two met on Facebook and she was able to follow his journey.

“I know that he’s had the surgery and is doing well,” said Lumax. “The fact that he’s doing this tour across the country is amazing. So I wanted to get people out to meet him and hear his story.”

She said it’s been fun to watch Donovan’s improvements over Facebook.

“It’s slow progress,” said Lumax. “The process of healing is slow it takes a little while to come back.”

Lumax was diagnosed with MS in 2003, but she believes she had for years.

“However until I had issues, it wasn’t diagnosed,” she said. “I have relapsing and remitting, which means sometimes I’m good to go and other times I can’t do much.”

Listening and hearing about and seeing the results Donovan is experiencing from the liberation or CCSVI treatment fills her with hope.

“Even if it doesn’t mean you’ll jump out of the wheelchair and walk if things are better, things are better,” said Lumax. “We’ll take it.”