VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - News1130 is kicking off a new series today surrounding a controversial possible new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis, called CCSVI.
The federal government is saying 'no' to funding clinical trials, for what's also deemed "Liberation Therapy" for MS patients. The decision isn't sitting well with people here, who suffer from the disease.
Canada's Health Minister says the treatment is "invasive" and "too risky" for human trials, so she wants Canadian doctors to monitor countries like Mexico and Poland, where the therapy is being done.
In the meantime, many Canadians with MS have raised their own money to travel to those countries to get the procedure.
Kathy Hutchinson of Langley was diagnosed with MS seven years ago. She says she's disappointed, but not surprised at the government's decision. "I think that's despicable."
The treatment was invented by an Italian doctor who says MS is caused by a lack of blood flow, which can be corrected by expanding the arteries.