There has been a lot of excitement about a potential breakthrough in the study of multiple sclerosis, and on Saturday, Calgarians got the opportunity to weigh in.
The findings, made by an Italian researcher, suggest the disease is linked to the flow of toxic blood. But the research is controversial.
On Saturday, hundreds of Calgarians turned out to an information session at a Calgary hotel looking for more information.
Among them were Michele and Steve Zanini who say they're very hopeful about groundbreaking research underway in Italy.
"Michelle's had MS for a number of years, and this has been the most interesting piece of information to come out," said Steve Zanini.
The Zaninis, and other families dealing with MS, have been closely watching the work of Dr. Paolo Zamboni. His findings suggest the debilitating disease is linked to blocked arteries that prevent toxic blood from draining out of the brain. His team began using tiny balloons to widen the veins, and some patients say their MS attacks have disappeared.
The news has spread like wildfire, especially on social networking sites. And that excitement attracted many to the Calgary meeting hosted by the U of C.
CTV News was not allowed into the meeting, but many who were inside tell us they, and the meeting's organizers, believe more research is needed. But most people CTV spoke with feel they should be offered access to the treatment in Canada right now.
"Basically we're all being treated like a bunch of idiots," commented Deborah Thorarinson. "I realize that they don't want people just jumping into new things, but there is a lot of research, there are a lot of people that have had this done already."
"I would go to see Dr. Zamboni in Italy in a heartbeat," added Joyce Martin.
Doctors in Vancouver are among those embarking on an international study. They hope to do procedures on 100 people in B.C. and Saskatchewan.
But the Zaninis aren't waiting. They're planning a flight to India where the procedure is already being offered. They acknowledge the risk involved, but say they don't have time to wait for the procedure to be approved in Canada.
"And we are going to step forward and do that, so does that put us on the front edge? Yep, and somebody has to be there. So we're not waiting for it any longer," said Steve Zanini.
The MS Society of Canada says the Italian study, which is known as CCVSI Research, are of great interest, but they need to be replicated and validated in much larger studies before they will accept the findings.
