July 27, 2011
CCSVI Alberta Responds to Health Minister’s Announcement – Aggressive CCSVI research recommended.
CCSVI (Chronic Cerebral Spinal Venous Insufficiency) is bigger than MS.
Warren Stefanuk, President of the Edmonton Chapter of CCSVI Alberta said “CCSVI has been found to be prevalent in several neurodegenerative conditions including MS, Parkinsons and Dementia to name a few. It’s time for governments to expand the scope of scientific inquiry. Given the degree of suffering experienced by those with these neurodegenerative conditions, this process needs to be fast tracked. There is a myriad of published international research that confirms the safety and efficacy of CCSVI treatment. There is no need to reinvent the wheel in Canada. It’s time to move forward with an observational study that tests, treats and tracks the outcomes in several thousand patients. Any further delay would be irresponsible and cruel”, Stefanuk said
CCSVI Alberta reports that many of the MS patients who have had to travel internationally for CCSVI treatment refuse to cooperate with the Alberta government’s study. Having paid their fair share of taxes which entitled them to medical treatment and then having had to pay a private clinic in another country for a simple treatment that they feel should have been available to them in Alberta, they are very angry and frustrated. Many are asking – having incurred such a large expense, why would they then provide free data to the government? “As many of these individuals are off the expensive MS drugs, they are certainly saving the taxpayer thousands of dollars. The sense of injustice is huge.” Stefanuk said
Media Inquiries may be directed to Warren Stefanuk at 780-217-5788
CCSVI Alberta is a non partisan grassroots advocacy group with approximately 1500 members whose mission is to make CCSVI testing and treatment available in Alberta – now. CCSVI Alberta is affiliated with the National CCSVI Society and the Canadian Coalition for the Study of Venous Insufficiency.
April 15, 2011
Chronic Cerebral Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) TESTING AND TREATMENT NOW
A delegation from CCSVI Alberta, accompanied by Dr. Bill Code of the National CCSVI Society, met with Alberta’s Health Minister, Gene Zwozdesky on April 11 and were cautiously encouraged by the Minister’s response to the presentation. Dr. Code, [see background below] explained the latest medical evidence regarding CCSVI to the minister. The Minister seemed receptive to the new information and medical opinions. CCSVI Alberta representatives will meet with the minister again on Friday, April 15 to discuss government policy and plans for CCSVI treatment and research. A CCSVI Alberta press conference was held in the rotunda at approximately 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15.
CCSVI Alberta is asking the Alberta government to authorize and fund CCSVI testing and treatment immediately. There is no longer an excuse to delay. “The scientific papers recently presented at the International Society of Neurovascular Diseases (ISNVD) and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) effectively prove that venous angioplasty of the veins draining the brain and nervous system is safe and an effective treatment for Multiple Sclerosis(MS) patients afflicted with CCSVI. The linkage between CCSVI and MS has also been well proven. This is urgent. People are suffering unnecessarily. We have an opportunity to improve their quality of life and free up precious resources in the health care system” said Dr. Bill Code, Director of Medical Research of the National CCSVI Society.
“It’s time to move forward with testing and treatment” said CCSVI Alberta spokesperson Warren Stefanuk “More than 12,000 procedures have been safely performed worldwide. Any further delay would cause unnecessary suffering and death amongst Alberta’s approximately 11,000 persons with MS, most of whom are also afflicted with CCSVI. The observation study would essentially reinvent the wheel and would waste time and money. Those funds should be reallocated to a clinical trial involving testing and treatment. CCSVI Alberta would be satisfied with a clinical trial, that includes testing and treatment of CCSVI patients with varying levels of symptoms, by qualified vascular specialists specifically trained in the protocols, with a minimum of three thousand CCSVI patients, that wish to participate at centers throughout Alberta” Stefanuk said.
Background
Dr. Bill Code www.drbillcode.com
Dr. Code is an anesthesiologist with additional training and experience with brain and stroke research. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996 and was successfully treated for CCSVI in 2010. He has written several books on MS and other health related topics. He is currently serving on the board of the National CCSVI Society of Canada as Director of Medical Research.
www.nationalccsvisociety.org
Requests for interviews with Dr. Code may be forwarded via text message to 250 709-2547 in the following format:
codeint (area code & phone number)- reporter name – news outlet name
CCSVI Calgary questions may be directed to: 403 874-6480
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