END MS! Support the Liberation Treatment

Christin Benoit
406 - 18 Burnside Ave.
Ottawa, ON K1Y 4V7

January 28th, 2010

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P.
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Dear Madam:

RE:  Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency

As you are well aware, groundbreaking research conducted by Dr. Paulo Zamboni in Italy has shed light on a nightmarish disease, Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI).  Dr. Zamboni's research has called into question in many cases if CCSVI is the cause of other serious diseases.  

CCSVI is a condition found in many, if not all, people with multiple sclerosis.  When CCSVI is present there is a narrowing or blockage in the jugular veins in the neck, and major veins of the chest and spine and therefore the blood does not properly drain from the brain.  Due to this blockage, de-oxygenated blood either stays too long in the brain or can reflux back into the brain causing various adverse effects, including:

1)  a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) in the brain;

2)  inflammation caused by plasma and blood, which can also set off an autoimmune reaction; and

3)  iron from blood deposited on brain tissue can damage myelin, and over time results in nerve damage (think of rust build up on a motor).

To date, thousands of patients have been tested using the specific MRI and Doppler Ultrasound Technologies developed by Dr. Zamboni, Dr. Mark Haacke of McMaster University and his team as well as many other interventional radiologists around the world.  All these patients have shown narrowing and/or deformities in their veins. There were no similar venous deformities seen in the patient control groups when the technologist had the proper training and equipment . Those are startling and noteworthy results!

Doctors in Italy, the US, Bulgaria, Australia, Kuwait, Poland and India have carried out what is now known as the "liberation procedure" on thousands of patients.  In this common, relatively safe procedure, a balloon angioplasty is used to open the narrowed vein(s) or stents are placed in the restricted veins to open and hold open the vein narrowing and thereby address these deformities. Performing the procedure opens the previously restricted veins which then allows the free movement of blood away from the brain. This procedure has been performed for many years.  Those who have undergone the procedure report near miraculous improvement in the degree and range of their symptoms if not at least relief from prior symptoms of fatigue and numbness.

Given the devastating toll exacted upon those suffering from those symptoms, their families, friends, and the very significant effect on the economy of our country, this government of our elected politicians cannot turn a blind eye to the extremely promising work of Dr. Zamboni and other researchers around the world.  This work has shown positive results to alleviate devastating symptoms and allow people to return to a comfortable state.

Testing and treatment centres MUST be funded quickly by the Canadian federal and provincial/territorial governments to alleviate the damage and suffering that is progressing daily throughout our society by this devastating disease.  Passing the responsibility to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research appears to be a cowardly action.  In addition, Canadian residents are aware of the stall-tactics being used by several agencies originally set up for the purpose of helping.

We respectfully request that you bring this matter forward to the provincial governments as forcefully, and as quickly, as possible
IN ORDER THAT:

1.               Firstly, the government will expedite approval for the testing and treatment for vascular deformities in all Canadian citizens;

2.               Government funding will be put in place for testing and treatment centres to support the large number of patients requiring care, 

3.               The Government will reimburse Canadian residents who have been forced to go abroad for the procedure,

4.              The diagnosis of CCSVI has been proven by the International Union of Phlebology and the treatment has been successful, therefore implement the CCSVI procedure and make it available to every patient in Canada!

Research to prove or disprove a theory and treatment's effectiveness has to be initiated by the correct medical profession.  In this case it would be Interventional Radiologists.  Act now!

TIME IS VERY MUCH OF THE ESSENCE!  Thank you for your attention in these matters.

Yours truly 

Ms. Christin Benoit
MS Liberation
www.msliberation.ca